Author uses scare tactics in warning on pot use

Referring to a Feb. 3 Perspective Section article, Alex Berenson wrote of the increase of violence with cannabis use. He presented an incorrect and biased view.

Schizophrenia, opioid addiction, psychosis and anger control issues all require specific treatment. Much of their treatment cannot be used with any other medicines. Many self-medicate with alcohol, opioids, legal or illegal drugs. Mr. Berenson didn’t quote any cannabis-only treatment results: CBD (not producing a high or addiction) for epileptic seizures, Parkinson’s disease? Maybe the THC helps anxiety or sleep disorders. What about relieving glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, organ transplant circulation, cancer chemotherapy effects? Those prone to murder, psychotic disorders, abuse of family members/ animals may use alcohol, meth, opioids with marijuana. It’s well known that pot-only users do not fight, abuse, or die from it.

It can’t be said that marijuana alone leads to more violence. We already know that medications come with warnings to avoid other drugs, alcohol or food and to avoid driving or operation of machinery. Medical marijuana should be used with similar cautions.

Mr. Berenson is a fiction author with history and economic degrees. Here is where we discover the real reason for the article: “Cannabis use is a personal decision. Whether cannabis should be legal is a political issue.” Really? “We need equally unambiguous and well-funded advertising campaigns on the risks of cannabis.” What lobbyists, right-wing politicians or activists or alarmists funded his scare tactics about a plant that has been used for thousands of years for medical purposes?

A friend, holding her husband as he was dying from Parkinson’s disease, heard him say he wished he could’ve lived long enough to get his medical marijuana to relieve his tremors, paralysis and multiple falls.

LINDA MONROE Rogers