Pubdate: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 Source: Herald, The (Everett, WA) Copyright: 2012 The Daily Herald Co. Contact: http://www.heraldnet.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/190 Author: Ron Jinkens Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n054/a12.html JUST CREATES MORE ADDICTS IF LEGAL I must respond to the letter concerning marijuana, the last line being "live and let live." (Thursday, "If unsure, be sure to get the facts.") As someone who daily works with and counsels medical marijuana users, drug addicts and alcoholics, I think that I have a realistic understanding of this issue. Addicts (including alcoholics), when trying to clean up, simply shift their addictions from one drug to another. The end result is they are still addicted, still dependent, and still unproductive members of society. Legalizing marijuana will only make it easier for them to stay high all day, every day. Marijuana is now two to three times more potent than it was back in the '60s, and, thus, more addictive. Drug and alcohol treatment centers are now treating people for marijuana addiction. It is my observation, too, that most addicts got to that point through the use of marijuana! If the Legislature needs to deal with the marijuana issue, they should not go an inch further until they clean up the mess they have created with the medical marijuana law as it now stands. I believe that further legalization will only create more problems for our country. Ron Jinkens Arlington - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom