PLACATING SCOFFLAWS

Marijuana is so much more potent today than it was in the 1960s and 70s
when most individuals were smoking ditchweed (feral cannabis hemp) that it
is now a leading cause of drug-related emergency room episodes as well as a
major factor in psychiatric emergency treatment.

Pro-drug partisan websites, masquerading as "clinics" for pot smokers who
prefer being zonked out to treating any real underlying ailment, boast that
most of their pot is at least 10percent THC, and claim some of their stuff
is even in excess of 20 percent THC. Never mind that on a parallel with
say, Tylenol, it is comparable to taking 15 to 20 tablets instead of one.
But then again, for the vast majority of pot users, the object is to get
high, not get cured, so the more potent the better, as is the case with all
other street drugs.

Regardless of the fact that alcohol and tobacco are not legal for children,
children remain the primary target of alcohol and tobacco marketing
strategies. We must assume that marijuana products will be marketed to
children just as vigorously. Unfortunately, legality makes such substances
readily accessible and children will emulate pot-smoking parents, just like
they do tobacco-smoking and alcohol-guzzling parents, perceiving them to be
safe and fun. According to a recent article in the journal
Neuropsycopharmacology, the average age of addiction for marijuana is 17,
indicating that first use occurs at a much younger age, something that most
of those working in prevention and law enforcement already knew.

Society must be wary of individuals and organizations who put their
personal agendas before the welfare of our children and call it their
"right." We have banned lawn darts, made it mandatory for every child under
70 pounds to sit in a car seat, mandated helmets for bike riders, and set
speed limits, all to protect society. Why should marijuana be granted
immunity when it has the potential to do far more harm? Common sense tells
us that lifting the restrictions on marijuana is simply letting the camel
get his nose in the tent and putting all of society in harm's way.

Sincerely,

Sandra S. Bennett, Portland, Ore.

Director, Northwest Center for Health and Safety

Past President (1999) Drug Watch International

Board Member, Educating Voices, Inc.

Advisory Board Member, Security On Campus, Inc.