The Truth About Marijuana
First of all, I would like to thank the Selectmen for having an open forum at the town hall last Monday, 2/5.
The speakers were able to present their opinions and experience with marijuana. From the sellers’ or peddlers’ side, their main argument was if they were allowed to sell it they can control how it will be grown and keep it additive free, which I say will be doubtful. They left out the fact that it is five times stronger than it was 40 years ago, is very addictive particularly to young people. My wife smokes medical marijuana, she chokes and gags when she smokes it. This medical marijuana is a farce. Most smokers smoke for one reason, to get high.
What they have left out is their only interest is their profit and greed. They couldn’t care less about the destructive and addictive consequences on people, young people in particular.
One the opposing side there were some well qualified speakers. First of all there was Bernie [Bernard Roderick], who was superintendent of Fairhaven schools. He spoke about the difficulty of trying to teach kids who were high on marijuana. He mentioned that 90% of heroin and other hard drug addicts started with marijuana. There is very credible research that points out that marijuana lowers the IQ level and kills off the work incentive of young people.
There were professional health workers who pointed out the dangers of inhaling this poisonous addictive drug. Just like tobacco, it’s loaded with toxins and carcinogens, and unlike tobacco smokers, marijuana smokers inhale more deeply and retain this smoke in their lungs to get their high. I invite you to go to the American lung association website to view their information about the dangers of marijuana smoking.
I can relate to the dangers and destructive consequences of marijuana smoking up close and personal. My step-daughter started with marijuana. Sadly she went onto hard drugs and lived a life of addiction for many years. Thank God she survived and is doing well today.
However my brother-in-law and best friend didn’t do so well. Both are deceased now. They were both tobacco and marijuana smokers, a deadly combination. I know this story can be repeated thousands of times.
My concern is mostly for the young people of our town. If you allow the sale of recreational marijuana in this town we are sending a wrong message to our young people. I strongly urge the citizens of our town to ban the sale of recreational marijuana.
There is one final point I would like to make, which is if you truly love your child, you will discipline children. They ask for it, they need your support and guidance. Likewise you will do all you can dot warn and protect your children from the dangers of tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
John Pond, Fairhaven
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