Pubdate: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 Source: Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC) Copyright: 2009 The Herald-Sun Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/ip8UnWLI Website: http://www.herald-sun.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428 Author: Bruce W. Frazer The Forum page in your June 14 issue entitled "Cannabis Conundrum" was entirely devoted to the legal and political implications of legalizing marijuana. There wasn't a word about its harmful health effects or danger to others. This was obviously no simple oversight: It came right out of the play book of the National Organization for the Legalization of Marijuana (NORML). Unlike any other drug in history, the burden of proof is with those who would prove marijuana safe rather than harmful. And yet the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) as well as scientists and clinicians throughout the world agree "pot" can be extremely dangerous. Physicians, medical organizations, corporations and government agencies have sponsored full page ads in major newspapers to underscore this point. You are ill serving your readers if you highlight arguments for and against legalizing marijuana without calling attention to the ever-increasing evidence it poses a serious health threat, especially to children. I strongly urge you to run a major article that would explain how and why. Bruce W. Frazer Durham - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr