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MARIJUANA IS DANGEROUS!

In Mr.  Miron's reply to "Marijuana, the Deceptive Drug," ( February issue ) it is clear that he "protests too much." Having been involved for over fifteen years in fighting those whose goal is legalization, in my opinion, this article had no new rhetoric; the same old claims with the same lack of substantiation. 

In faulting Mr.  Biernson's cited studies, why then, does Mr.  Miron fail to cite any studies to validate many of his statements?

Contrary to the Grinspoon/Bakalar quote: "...the only deleterious physical effect of marijuana is harm to the pulmonary system," is a recent report ( December, 1999 ) by Dr.  Zuo-Feng Zhang of the Jonsson Cancer Center at the University of California, Los Angeles, which adds to evidence that smoking marijuana can cause cancer.  "Many people may think marijuana is harmless, but it's not."

Mr.  Miron's reference to the conclusions by Zimmer/Morgan which claim "there is little evidence of any harm even from regular use," is a gross misrepresentation of truth!

In testimony submitted by Drug Czar General Barry McCaffrey for the Record to the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, October 1, 1997: "...misconceptions about marijuana continue to abound.  Confused by conflicting messages, it is no wonder that many Americans, especially our youth, do not understand what current scientific research is teaching us about the damaging effects of smoked marijuana.  Current research points to serious risks to society.  Marijuana contains cancer-causing compounds, reduces workplace productivity, and is increasingly prevalent in automobile accidents and youth fatalities.  Treatment figures for 1995 show that 141,000 Americans were admitted to drug treatment programs for marijuana addiction.  Over half ( 55% ) of all youths ages 15-17 admitted to drug treatment were seeking treatment for marijuana."

Miron's statement regarding text from Goodman and Gilman's reference that "relatively few patients ever seek treatment for marijuana addiction," is again refuted in a Washington Post article ( 01/12/2000, by Sally Squires ) "Biggest Short-Term Risks.  Marijuana users are as uncoordinated as drunks on standard driving tests, and more than 120,000 people seek treatment each year for marijuana addiction, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse."

As Robert Gilkeson, M.D.  stated: "The toxic properties of chemical molecules and their cellular damage are not matters of opinion or debate.  They are not determined by adolescent servicemen, or by scientifically uneducated lawyers, legislators, judges, or 'doctors' without the facts. 

"We cannot vote for or against the 'toxicity of a drug.' How much a drug impairs cell structure or chemical function is neither subject to nor governed by congressional committee, public referendum, or the federal Constitution. 

"We cannot govern the electromagnetic behavior of chemical molecules by popular vote, judicial proclamation, personal opinion or individual desire. 

"Everyone is entitled to his own 'opinion.' He is not entitled to his own 'facts.' Chemically, marijuana is a far more dangerous drug than most of the scientifically ignorant media and American consumers have been duped into believing."

The harms and dangerous effects of marijuana are all that Mr.  Biernson stated ...  and more!

Lea Palleria Cox, M.A.T.  President, Concerned Citizens for Drug Prevention, Inc.  Massachusetts Delegate, Drug Watch International