Pubdate: Fri, 16 Nov 2012
Source: Daily Sentinel, The (Grand Junction, CO)
Copyright: 2012 Cox Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.gjsentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2084
Author: Sherman D. Straw
Note: title by newshawk

MARIJUANA IS NOT A HARMLESS AMUSEMENT

Now that Amendment 64 was passed by those who want to use or tax 
marijuana, we must consider the facts. I have practiced medicine in 
Colorado more than 28 years and will share a few highlights from the 
117 medical texts and respected journal articles in my file.

Marijuana makes most people artificially happy and relaxed for a few 
hours, but not without consequences. When under the influence, it's 
hard to focus, think clearly or remember. It impairs judgment and 
delays reaction time. This impairment lasts much longer than the 
"high," making it unsafe to drive for over 24 hours after use. Users 
are two to seven times more likely to be involved in an accident.

Users demonstrate the signs of addiction: intoxication, abuse, 
dependence and withdrawal. Users are significantly more likely to 
drop out of school, use other drugs, be unemployed and commit crime.

It's bad for your body. The smoke has three times more tar and 50 
percent more carcinogens than tobacco and causes the same kind of 
chronic lung disease and cancer. Users are five times more likely to 
have a heart attack and develop psychosis more frequently. The immune 
system is suppressed.

Babies born from pregnant users show all the signs of withdrawal, and 
school testing shows deficits in attention and memory, plus lower 
scores on verbal and reasoning tests.

Chronic use can cause cyclic abdominal pain and intractable vomiting, 
and males become impotent and infertile. There is a well-recognized 
amotivational syndrome where users develop such apathy they 
completely withdraw from life. The old Cheech and Chong skit had more 
truth in it than we thought.

In Colorado, doctors aren't allowed to use while practicing, even if 
they have a medical marijuana card. I can't think of any occupation 
where it would be a good idea to markedly dull brain function. Can 
you? Marijuana is not a harmless amusement.

Until we realize the enormous mess we created and repeal this 
misguided legislation, it should be highly regulated and very heavily 
taxed to minimize this serious burden on society.

SHERMAN D. STRAW, MD

Grand Junction
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