Pubdate: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) Copyright: 2014 The Arizona Republic Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24 Author: Diana Dellis Page: 15 THE SOCIAL COSTS OF LEGALIZING POT OUTWEIGH ANY TAX-REVENUE BOOST As a health professional, I cringe every time I read that we should legalize another addictive substance, marijuana, because we can incur tax revenue. (By the way, I support use of THC in appropriate medical situations.) As a society, we must start making choices based on what is best for our collective health and work and life success. I urge people to look at the research. Marijuana use is known to cause chronic bronchitis and airway changes in the lungs; users suffer from impaired memory, thinking and problem-solving. Even more alarming, chronic marijuana use changes the structure of the brain. Researchers are finding that regular use of cannabis may lower a person's IQ. And, yes, the use of marijuana often leads to addiction. There are societal consequences, financially and in quality of life. If we want to continue to compete and lead in a global economy, we need healthy brains and bodies, and intelligent, motivated citizens. - - Diana Dellis, Phoenix - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom