Pubdate: Sat, 13 Sep 2014
Source: Tallahassee Democrat (FL)
Copyright: 2014 Tallahassee Democrat
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/hdEs6Z0o
Website: http://www.tallahassee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/444
Author: Diana Gilbert

CONSIDER MARIJUANA'S DANGERS

In November, voters will consider an amendment to our Florida 
Constitution about legalizing medical marijuana. An amendment is very 
serious and shouldn't be taken lightly.

The California Narcotics Officers Association says: "Marijuana is an 
unstable mixture of over 400 chemicals, including toxic psychoactive 
chemicals which are largely unstudied and appear in uncontrolled strengths."

There's strong evidence that smoked marijuana is harmful. The British 
Lung Foundation found links between smoking marijuana and 
tuberculosis, acute bronchitis and lung cancer. The BLF warned that 
smoking three or four marijuana joints a day is as bad for our lungs 
as 20 tobacco cigarettes.

Mental illness has been associated with chronic marijuana use, such 
as psychosis, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and suicidal thoughts.

Marijuana affects the brain, causing difficulty with thinking and 
problem-solving, distorted perception and disrupted learning and 
memory. A president of the California Police Chief's Association 
wrote, "Based on almost 12 years of medical marijuana in California, 
it's our observation that it has been destructive to lives and 
communities." He said it's "bad public policy and will cause crime 
and public safety problems."

The Florida Medical Association and law enforcement organizations 
strongly oppose Amendment 2. Vote no on Amendment 2.

DIANA GILBERT

Niceville

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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom