THE HARM OF MARIJUANA

The Oct. 15 front-page story "U.S. Appeal of Marijuana Case Rejected" might
have confused young people who are looking for excuses to cover their
marijuana use. Kids in treatment regularly say they have heard that
marijuana is medicine and that it won't hurt them. Then they end up addicted.

Marijuana harms the immune system. This was reported to Congress in 1974,
1976 and 1980. Further, the National Institutes of Health has said, "People
with HIV and other diseases of the immune system should avoid marijuana
use." Marijuana smoke in particular contains chemicals that adversely
affect the body, from the brain and the immune system to the lungs and
reproductive system.

The decision by the Supreme Court did not mean that the court supports
"medical" marijuana. In fact, it ruled unanimously in 2001 that "marijuana
has no medical necessity defense."

The recent ruling simply addressed the "free speech" issue, saying
basically that doctors are free to express opinions -- even stupid ones.

Doctors who oppose the medical use of marijuana tell me that they don't
come forward because they don't have time to tangle with the drug
legalizers -- the real power behind the medical marijuana movement.
Legalizers have said since 1979 that their plan is to get marijuana
classified as a medicine and use that as a step toward legalization.

JOYCE NALEPKA
President
Drug-Free Kids: America's Challenge
Silver Spring