Pubdate: Thu, 07 Jul 2005
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2005 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Author: Kirk Muse
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1033/a08.html

SOME DANGER IN ALL DRUGS

I'm writing in response to William M. Bennett's June 27 letter, "Medicinal
pot is a ruse." Many people share Bennett's view that marijuana has few or
no therapeutic benefits. However, how many of them are AIDS or cancer
patients who have personally benefited from the natural herb?

I know of no one advocating the regulation, government control and taxation
of either medical or recreational marijuana who claims that marijuana use
involves no danger. All products are dangerous to some people.

The problem with people like Bennett grossly exaggerating the harms and
dangers of marijuana is that when children find out that they have been
given false information about marijuana, they often make the logical
conclusion that they have also been given false information about the
dangers of other drugs like methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.

That is a recipe for disaster.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz
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