Pubdate: Wed, 29 Jan 2014
Source: Northwest Arkansas Times (Fayetteville, AR)
Copyright: 2014 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Contact: http://nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/68570/letter/
Website: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/828
Author: Eleanor Lock

SAY NO TO MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION EFFORT

I can remember, from when I was growing up, the ads in the papers 
that showed "doctors" touting the benefits of smoking (and) how many 
advantages there were to nicotine use. (It) calms nerves, soothes a 
sore throat. In fact, nine out of 10 doctors smoked Camels.

Of course, now we know better, as the evidence piled up showing 
nicotine is instrumental in causing deadly cancers, and COPD, among 
other ailments.

Now, we face legalization of marijuana, such as what has passed in 
Colorado and Washington State. We have the option of making 
marijuana, with all the incumbent propaganda, legal. I'm surprised we 
are not seeing ads popping up with men in white coats being quoted as 
saying, "Nine out of 10 doctors love getting high on marijuana."

The Lancet Journal warns of the dangers of smoking pot, especially 
the mental illness that can accompany marijuana use. Users tend to 
lose their natural ambitions, when the part of the brain is affected 
that determines drive and ambition. There is more than enough 
evidence that the ingredient in marijuana can and does cause cancer, 
particularly testicular cancer. How sad!

Will we be like our fore-bearers, and have to lose loved ones to 
cancer and other ailments before it is slowly revealed that, like 
tobacco before, marijuana use can be very destructive to mankind?

Please show up at the polls this November and vote against this scourge.

ELEANOR LOCK Bella Vista
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom