Pubdate: Thu, 22 Feb 2001 Source: Columbian, The (WA) Copyright: 2001 The Columbian Publishing Co. Contact: 701 W 8th St, Vancouver, WA 98666 Website: http://www.columbian.com/ Forum: http://www.webforums.com/forums/trace/host/msa70.html Author: Sandra S. Bennett Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n176/a10.html http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n234/a08.html MARIJUANA POTENTIALLY LETHAL It was fascinating to see comments by legalizers from other states printed in response to my Jan. 28 opinion, "WAR ON ILLEGAL DRUGS SHOULD BE ESCALATED." Seeing as The Columbian is open to the opinions from non-Clark County residents. I have asked others working in prevention to give a shot at replying to the letters, particularly to the Feb. 8 opinion, "MARIJUANA IS LESS EVIL DRUG THAN U. S.-PROTECTED BOOZE," from Jerry Epstein of Texas. It is interesting to note that the same delusional people who are pushing pot are also pushing ecstasy, making similar claims that it is harmless and trying to expand its use by promoting such programs like Dance Safe. This program is basically a RAVE party where someone supposedly checks to make sure the drugs are "safe." Check out the scientific literature and actual research, not letters of opinion printed in scientific journals and then quoted later as fact. You will see that marijuana is ultimately far more dangerous than tobacco and that hybridization techniques are creating strains of the plant that are so potent they are potentially lethal. Sandra S. Bennett LaCenter, Wash - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens