Pubdate: Thu, 20 Feb 2014
Source: Wausau Daily Herald (WI)
Copyright: 2014 Wausau Daily Herald
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/zFWcSrzy
Website: http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1321
Author: Deb Steckart

DON'T LEGALIZE MARIJUANA. IT HAS REAL NEGATIVE PHYSICAL AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Marijuana Has Many Negative Effects

EDITOR: Marijuana is a drug. When inhaled, it gets a user high. In
this state, the user cannot study, participate in sports or do normal
activity. When he or she comes down from the high, normal routine can
begin again.

Pot use causes physical and mental laziness, paranoia, addiction, lung
problems and may lead to stronger drug use - just to name a few of the
negative consequences. Below are a few excerpts of an article
published in the National Psychologist's Nov.-Dec. 2003 issue.

British health officials say several studies show that regular use of
marijuana increases the risk of developing mental illness. Professor
Robin Murray of the Institute of Psychiatry found that cannabis
consumption acts to increase later risk of schizophrenia. In another
study in 1987, he found that 4,000 people who took large amounts of
cannabis were almost seven times more likely to have psychotic
symptoms three years later.

In a separate study, toxicologist John Henry found that smoking
marijuana carries the same physical health risks as smoking tobacco
and carries the added danger of mental illness. He found there is a
four-fold increase in schizophrenia and major depression among users.

I feel this is valuable information in making a decision to legalize
marijuana. In my opinion, the drug should not be legalized. Keep drugs
off our streets and out of our children's hands.

Deb Steckart,

Rib Mountain
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MAP posted-by: Matt