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1. 

   To Mewright: Pro-legalizers always say the effects of the justice system are more harmful than the effects of marijuana but also that pro-legalizers don’t advocate young people to do drugs but that effects are minimal. If young people think effects are minimal, they will do drugs. My child was addicted and the effects were not minimal–the addiction was full-blown, obsessive, with a strong withdrawal syndrome, when, through law enforcement abstinence was required. Law enforcement provides teeth to get people into treatment. Marijuana is decriminalized in my state and diversion to treatment is a positive outcome for addicted youth.

   Many studies show negative and serious damage from marijuana, while others show different results. Let’s not cherry pick studies but examine the bulk of research. As a parent, I prefer to be cautious regarding the research and pro-legalizers do a disservice with the minimal harm message.

   by clynn October 4, 2009
2. 

   This is so true and i know from experience that this article is very accurate. Thank you

   by recovery4life09 July 30, 2009
3. 

   There are no “pro-marijuana” groups making claims that they want any child to possess or use marijuana. These groups should actually be referred to as anti-prohibitionists. These groups recognize the dangers of children being exposed to any drug (which would include alcohol and tobacco). These groups also recognize that the laws prohibiting marijuana and other drugs are much more harmful than the drugs themselves, by giving children, such as yours, a criminal record. All it takes is one minor, non-violent infraction to affect a child’s life. Amongst many other things a criminal record would limit a person’s educational and employment opportunities.
   In response to Ken Winters’ comments about the effects of cannabis. There is a current study produced through the National Center for Biotechnology Information. This service, of The U.S. National Library of Medicine and The National Institutes of Health, has the preliminary findings of the effects of cannabis on the neurological system and can be viewed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19627647
   Their findings I have pasted here for you to read: CONCLUSIONS: Functional neuroimaging studies suggest a modulation of global and prefrontal metabolism both during the resting state and after the administration of THC/marijuana cigarettes. Minimal evidence of major effects of cannabis on brain structure has been reported.
   Just so we are all clear, addiction is a brain disease. If there is no effects on brain structure, then there can be no addictive qualities. In the report they state “The review focuses on the cognitive changes associated with acute and chronic use of the drug.” This is a study on actual humans not just rats.
   So, although Ken Winters may be correct in stating that it is not factual to say marijuana has no addictive properties. It is also accurate to say that more and more studies are finding the effects of marijuana to be minimal.
   No one is claiming that people should allow any developing young person to experiment with drugs. What is being said is that kids of ALL races, ages and socioeconomic classes have and always will experiment with drugs. Many parents ,across the nation, stood where you are now, questioning the laws and although well intended, many parents found out the hard way that these laws are ruining lives. These lives being ruined are those of children; children just like yours; children that made a mistake and could suffer for this minor err for the rest of their lives.
   Again, these organizations are not necessarily “pro-marijuana”: They are “anti-prohibition”. That is a huge difference! Ken’s warning is actually very misleading by stating that “Likewise, do not be persuaded by the pro-marijuana groups that users cannot become dependent on marijuana. That claim is not factual.” This is an attempt to cause his readers to make an assumption that marijuana IS addictive. The truth is that it has not been proven either way and this is a scare tactic to make people believe otherwise.
   If you would like more information of the damage the “drug war” has caused go to the website for “Law Enforcement Against Prohibition” or LEAP. They are a group of law enforcement officials from all over the U.S. and abroad that have seen the horrible effects of the failed “war on drugs”. Don’t just take a one sided view. Get ALL the information that is out there and take a real stand for your children by protecting them on ALL bases. Be fully informed!!! Your children are not safe until the drugs are legally regulated by proper law officials like alcohol and cigarettes are regulated. Take the power away from dangerous cartels and street gangs by taking away their financial resources through legalization. Anti-prohibitionists are concerned about us and our kids safety!

   by Mewright July 30, 2009