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
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