Pubdate: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 Source: Tennessean, The (TN) Copyright: 2004 The Tennessean Contact: http://www.tennessean.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447 Author: Stuart Bernstein MARIJUANA USE CAUSES MORE THAN DELUSIONS To the Editor: Regarding the Aug. 22 letter, ''Why not ban tobacco instead of marijuana?'' The letter stated that marijuana, which ''only causes delusions,'' is illegal while tobacco, which causes 10,000 deaths each year in Tennessee is not. Marijuana causes more than delusions. Marijuana smokers may be inhaling five times the tar and carbon monoxide of tobacco. The drug also has proven effects on perception and memory. The bottom line is that there is plenty of scientific proof that both drugs are addictive and harmful. Why has marijuana been outlawed while tobacco remains legal? The debate about anti-tobacco legislation involves much more than scientific proof. It involves the interests of smokers, growers, manufacturers, marketers, and lobbyists who are in favor of the legal sale of tobacco. These interests are pitted against smokers struggling with their addiction and parents who don't want to see the next generation saddled with a habit that will kill them. In closing, the questions we should be asking our legislators aren't about public health and scientific proof but are instead about pressure from special interest groups that profit from marketing and selling products that kill people. If the special interests are louder than the citizens, they win. If this makes you mad, then take action. Send a message to Washington and to Nashville. Tell your legislators that they will lose your vote if they fail to protect us from things that kill us. Stuart Bernstein Murfreesboro - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin