Pubdate: Wed, 17 Aug 2011 Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA) Copyright: 2011 Chico Enterprise-Record Contact: http://www.chicoer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/861 Note: Letters from newspaper's circulation area receive publishing priority Author: Donald M. Polzin Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n522/a01.html POT JUST TEMPORARILY MASKS THE PROBLEM Robert Galia (letters, Friday) states he feels it is his civic responsibility to continue to characterize marijuana as a "health enhancer." He has done that numerous times before without offering a scintilla of scientific proof. When he has obtained written endorsements from at least half of the physicians at the Mayo Clinic, Cedars-Sinai, Johns Hopkins and/or the Stanford Medical Center, I might begin to believe him. Until then, I feel compelled to make one final definitive statement in opposition, as supported by the following. I recall an old 1933-54 fictional radio drama called "The Shadow." Main character Lamont Cranston, a prominent businessman, decided to fight crime because he had the advantage of being able "to cloud men's minds." He wasn't exactly invisible, but when they heard his ominous voice, criminals trembled in fear and obeyed the someone who didn't seem to be there. Painkillers and marijuana are remarkably similar. They act upon the brain to tell it, "It doesn't hurt," but when the "medicine" wears off, the suffering resumes. Like alcohol, pot is becoming more readily available and disturbingly overused. Whether or not that comprises addiction, there are ample examples of users whose personalities and mental acuity have been negatively impacted. Galia might want to ask Tommy Chong what disease his toking has cured. - - Donald M. Polzin, Orland - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom