Pubdate: Tue, 08 Apr 2014
Source: Daily Courier (Prescott, AZ)
Copyright: 2014 Prescott Newspapers, Inc.
Contact: http://www.dcourier.com/Formlayout.asp?formcall=userform&form=1
Website: http://www.dcourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4036
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n265/a04.html
Author: Charlie Ruth Bond

'FREEDOM OF CHOICE' CARRIES DANGERS

EDITOR:

I see that we are addressing the critical issue of legalizing the 
cultivation, processing, marketing, possession and use of cannabis.

As a part of this discussion, we must not ignore the fact that 
cannabis will kill, alcohol will kill, tobacco will kill. But, only 
marijuana and alcohol (the "recreational" drugs) have the capacity to 
cross the blood-brain barrier and directly affect the brain, 
resulting in alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, 
cognition and behavior of their victims.

Alcohol is regulated to some extent. Tobacco has been demonized 
because it not only affects the person who is smoking but those who 
must breath the residual smoke. Fortunately, the restrictions that 
have been placed on tobacco users and the plethora of information on 
the health effects of smoking have resulted in a marked decrease in 
the use of tobacco.

"Freedom of choice" is a favorite mantra of those who want to be 
permitted to do whatever they choose to whomever they choose. 
Perhaps, in the case of those who choose to make life-threatening 
choices, there should be some regulation to protect them and society. 
In a letter dated March 13, W. Muse said children have died from 
eating peanut butter, but it is not outlawed nor regulated. I am sure 
Mr. Muse knows this is not really a good example to use in his 
comments because this has to do with severe allergic reactions to 
food, and most are aware of the danger and avoid the food.

The conclusions to be drawn here is that there is some regulatory 
efforts to control the use of alcohol but some will consume it in 
excess anyway. So, I doubt that the result of semi-regulatory efforts 
in the case of cannabis would be different. My point is that alcohol 
and marijuana are psychoactive drugs and are highly addictive.

I just received mail from AAA in which there was a pamphlet, which 
stated: "Each year, more than 32,000 lives are lost and 2,200,000 
injuries are sustained, all at an economic cost of more than $300 
billion." Obviously, getting on the road can kill you, also.

Charlie Ruth Bond

Prescott
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