Pubdate: Wed, 13 Feb 2013
Source: Texarkana Gazette (TX)
Copyright: 2013 Raydeen Edwards
Contact:  http://www.texarkanagazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/976
Author: Raydeen Edwards

MARIJUANA

TO THE EDITOR:

Since some states have legalized marijuana, it gave the OK for smokers
to get wide open with their drug use. I still hear the same excuses
from the '70s, "it came from the earth, God intended us to smoke it."
That's a myth that was started by Satan. Here are a few facts about
marijuana: THC is rapidly absorbed after smoking pot within minutes.
THC and the other substances in marijuana smoke cause short-term
medical effects: 1) rapid heart rate; 2) increased blood pressure; 3)
increase rate of breathing; 4) red eyes; 5) dry mouth; 6) increased
appetite; 7) slowed reaction time.

These effects are reduced after three or four hours. However,
marijuana hangs around in your system for as long as a month after
smoking. The lingering effect means you're impaired for several days
to weeks after the high wears off. I know the pot-smoker does not care
about all of this, because smoking makes them feel good. I have seen
lawyers smoke it, preachers, school teachers and employers.

It's a generation thing, where we pass it down to our children.
Anything we see our parents do, we feel its OK, right? How can we do
anything about this when it is accepted so widely? It's still illegal,
a gateway to other drugs, will stop you from employment, will stop you
from food stamps. And where do you have to go to get it? Keep thinking
it's for medical use, i.e., your eyes, your nerves. Bottom line, you
are an addict!

Raydeen Edwards

Atlanta, Texas
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D