Pubdate: Mon, 18 Jul 2016
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
Copyright: 2016 Journal Sentinel Inc.
Contact: http://www.jsonline.com/general/30627794.html
Website: http://www.jsonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265
Author: Stefanie Schmutzler
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n470/a05.html

MARIJUANA IS NOT THE PROBLEM

The last sentence of Ann C. Pendleton's letter of July 11 posed a 
question: "If marijuana can be legalized for recreational use, then 
why are not other drugs being legalized for recreational use?" 
("Marijuana is dangerous," Letters).

My immediate reaction: Are you kidding me? Just walk into any liquor 
store and you have a much more dangerous drug of all sorts to choose 
from. Pick your poison. Liquor and its use causes more deaths and 
accidents than marijuana. There is just no argument.

Nicotine is a drug. What has that cost civilians in health care 
costs? How many people do we all know who died of lung cancer or 
other cancers due to smoking cigarettes and all the people around 
them who inhaled second hand smoke?

I'm sorry if she struggled with a loved one struggling with 
addiction, but no rational person can blame marijuana. In fact, if 
she has numerous relatives struggling with addiction, they may have 
some predisposed genetic tendency toward addiction.

It was such a naive letter I had to respond. I mean, come on, don't 
even get me started on marijuana vs. legal and prescribed narcotic 
drugs. Sheesh! I'd rather have my grandma or mother smoke a joint if 
it helps with pain than have them take any opioids. Society needs to wake up.

Stefanie Schmutzler Milwaukee
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom