Published: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 9:00 p.m.
Updated 4 hours ago
No legal marijuana
I disagree with the Jason Cole letter on legalizing marijuana (“Cannabis: The renewable resource,” May 17).
Growing, selling and smoking cannabis should remain illegal for recreational and medical users. Cannabis is a “schedule one” substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. Schedule one substances are the law’s highest classification, indicating it has high abuse potential.
Research has shown cannabis smoke contains 50 percent more cancer-causing components than tobacco smoke. Cannabis is more prone to causing lung cancer than tobacco because it is smoked unfiltered. Marijuana’s active ingredient, THC, causes psychological effects such as heightened sensory perceptions, disrupted coordination and hallucinations.
Legalizing such a substance will lead to excessive drug use in teens and young adults.
As a professional staff nurse, I feel there is insufficient research on the long-term effects of cannabis use. Legalizing cannabis will lead to higher death rates and medical costs.
Recreational use will increase vehicle accidents and medical problems. There will be greater use of stronger drugs and more violence and crime, which in turn leads to an increase in emergency room visits and hospital stays.
With health care costs rising and limited access, legalizing cannabis is a poor decision for the health and well-being of society.
Rikkia Jones
West Mifflin
No legal marijuana
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