Pubdate: Wed, 17 May 2006 Source: Anchorage Daily News (AK) Copyright: 2006 The Anchorage Daily News Contact: http://www.adn.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/18 Author: Jennifer A. Paton Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) CALLING MARIJUANA A NATURAL DRUG IGNORES ALTERED STATES IT CAUSES In response to the letter written by Savon Duchein ("Marijuana is a natural substance, unlike meth, which is an epidemic," May 9): I found it interesting the writer used a verse from the book of Genesis, concerning what God gave us to eat in the beginning, in an attempt to rationalize the use of pot in an unmonitored and recreational manner. Unfortunately for any unknowing reader, the writer forgot to add that the effects of eating the herb and smoking it are different. And if you are going to be so bold as to use God's word, then far be it for the writer to not give appropriate warning that recreational drunkenness is not what God had in mind for the herb, of course. Getting stoned is just another way to describe a drunken state. "Mary Jane" is more potent than any over-the-counter medication and even some controlled substances in smaller doses. It is also addictive and is as bad on your lungs as a cigarette when smoked. Pot smokers can wreak havoc upon their families in other ways. Like any other drug addicts, those who smoke pot lie, cover, betray and can spend countless hours week after week neglecting and abandoning their families in various heartbreaking ways, in preference of their drug "Dr. Feelgood." And as far as it being a natural plant, so is the opium poppy and the plant from which we obtain cocaine. What's your point? - ---- Jennifer A. Paton Anchorage - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman