I have read the most recent articles and viewer comments in the Press regarding the legalization of marijuana with both amusement and a tinge of sadness. It is pathetic that one now has to justify being against drugs. It is the latest example of how our society has completely lost its moral compass amid self-gratification, warped priorities and permissiveness disguised as “enlightened thinking.”
So let me get this straight: Because pot “isn’t a hard drug” and “many people are using it anyway,” we should give it legislative approval? While we’re at it, let’s make speeding legal, littering OK and accept cheating in sports/school/life because a lot of people also do each of those things and don’t necessarily hurt people. Brilliant thinking.
Marijuana is not harmless. It is more physically damaging than cigarettes — and in case you didn’t notice, cigarette smoking has been marginalized throughout the country. Pot has scientifically proven negative effects on concentration, motivation and judgment. As a high school educator, I see these effects at work every day, and for these reasons alone legalizing pot is a bad idea.
I favor strict guidelines for the clinical use of medicinal marijuana. And decriminalization for possession and use both make sense. But legalizing recreational pot smoking is ridiculous beyond belief. There are hundreds of effective and healthy ways to enjoy your life without making recreational drug use a part of it.
Frank Gualtieri
Brick
Legalizing marijuana is not a good idea for New Jersey
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