Pubdate: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 Source: Boston Herald (MA) Copyright: 2010 The Boston Herald, Inc Contact: http://news.bostonherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53 Author: Joseph Young Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n937/a06.html MARIJUANA SCAPEGOATED Most drugs have side effects, but to claim that marijuana is more harmful than tobacco depends on how much of each is inhaled ("New pot law blamed as violence escalates," Nov. 15). Nobody smokes cigarettes for medical reasons, but marijuana may be recommended by doctors to those on chemotherapy or suffering with HIV. Legalization is meant to reduce the number of drug pushers and gang murders, to increase state revenues and to help chronically ill patients. Prohibition won't prevent substance abuse. My uncle, aunt and cousin died from respiratory illnesses from smoking tobacco, not weed. Joseph Young - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake