The big uproar over marijuana
Marijuana, smoked regularly, is bad for you. Just like smoking cigarettes is bad for you. If smoked regularly, marijuana users greatly increase their risk of developing lung cancer. Studies have shown that the risk of depression in adolescents increases with marijuana use (even up to a decade after continual use) and although it hasn’t been proven, studies are suggesting that certain mental illnesses and psychoses may be onset by marijuana abuse. Studies have confirmed that marijuana use exacerbates symptoms of schizophrenic patients.
These facts aside, it seems ironic that a town with dozens of legal drug-selling establishments is creating such uproar over marijuana. I’m referring to bars, restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores that sell alcohol and cigarettes. Thirty-eight percent of traffic fatalities are alcohol-related in Montana, and in the United States there have been 2,301 alcohol-related traffic fatalities already this year. In comparison, how many marijuana-related traffic fatalities have been documented? Zero. That’s right.
Joe Coco declares that marijuana is responsible for a whole list of societal woes, including low grades in students, failed marriages and traffic accidents but fails to cite statistics to back up this claim. Coco’s claims are based on personal opinions and biases rather than facts. The truth is that marijuana is a potent drug that is bad for kids and adults who abuse it, but statistics show that violent crimes and traffic fatalities are not associated with marijuana use.
Which brings us to another truism — marijuana, a potent drug, works wonders when used medicinally. It significantly relieves chronic pain without unpleasant side-effects of other pain medications. It relieves nausea, a symptom of chemotherapy patients. It reduces suffering of AIDS patients. It is one of the few drugs that brings relief to chronic migraine sufferers.
Marijuana is readily available and many people smoke it recreationally. Personally, I don’t like it. I think people act stupid and dopey and get that dumb stoner accent and are less reliable as friends and co-workers. But that’s my personal opinion, which doesn’t count for much. Statistics and facts are what matter. Marijuana has been around for a long time and is statistically less damaging to society than cigarettes and alcohol. It’s here to stay, and we need to rationally and intelligently decide how to manage its presence amongst us.
Laira Fonner lives in Whitefish.