In the Oct. 25 edition, Greg Tyler writes “Pot smokers are not a drain on our healthcare system,” “marijuana is not addictive,” “it is possible to consume marijuana daily and live a normal life with no side effects.”
These statements are not factual, they appear to be “wistful” thinking.
George Institute of New Zealand reached a case-controlled conclusion in 2005 which reads in part: “Habitual marijuana use is associated with a 10-fold increase in the risk of car crash injury.”
The National Survey of Drug Abuse and Health showed that drug use while driving is not uncommon. The meta-analysis showed 28 per cent of fatally injured drivers tested positive for drugs other than alcohol, with marijuana the most popular choice.
The Good Drugs Guide reports “A person who is living with an addiction to marijuana is unable to stop using it, even when they want to. The urge to use is simply too strong. Couple the dependence on the drug with the fact that it is cheap and relatively easy to get and you will see why so many people become addicted.”
Eric Myrholm