Pubdate: Tue, 24 Sep 2013
Source: Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
Copyright: 2013 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
Contact: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/about/feedback/
Website: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/339
Author: Carol Ambruster
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n478/a01.html

THE UPS & DOWNS OF LEGALIZED HIGHS

I usually agree with Stu, but I can't on this one. I know a few 
people who regularly smoke pot, and I don't feel it's been good for 
any of them. It certainly hasn't aided emotional maturity and mental clarity.

Not all pot smoking leads to harder drug use, but it did in the case 
of my brother, who died at age 50 from liver disease from alcohol, 
pot and hard drugs. I also question the need for medical marijuana: I 
suspect that a good deal of it goes to people who used to smoke pot 
and who exaggerate their pain level to a sympathetic doctor, perhaps 
one of similar pot-smoking background.

The public has largely disengaged itself from thinking about anything 
related to the responsibilities of a citizen in a representative 
democracy, like the direction of the country, current events and 
politics - Lord knows we don't need to degrade their thought any further.

Probably curbing Philly's corruption would help a lot in funding 
education, but I don't see that coming ...

Carol Ambruster

Philadelphia
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom