Beach’s argument for marijuana rings hollow to parents and grandparents

As parents and grandparents, we strongly disagree with Randall Beach, an admitted marijuana user, for pushing the legalization of marijuana in Connecticut. Virtually his entire column was about the debt which Connecticut politicians have created and how legalization of marijuana is the cure all for all of our self-made debt. He also faults Connecticut politicians — calling them dopes — for not jumping on the marijuana cure all bandwagon.

At no time does Beach mention the cost to our children and grandchildren should this drug be legalized … not one word.

Beach’s arguments ring hollow to parents and grandparents already concerned about the opioid and heroin crisis in New England and beyond. Our group, Common Sense, have heard from parents whose children began using marijuana in high school, became addicted, and claim that these addictions have destroyed their lives as their children never became responsible, hard-working adults. To sanctify drug use by legalizing it, as Beach advocates, would only send mixed messages to those juveniles tempted to use but hold back knowing it is morally and legally wrong. The last thing today’s teens need are confusing messages: opiods are bad; marijuana is good.

Marijuana is not good for teens anymore than cigarettes are good for teens. We doubt that Beach would write a column today encouraging the smoking of cigarettes which have dozens of additives proven to be cancer causing and addictive even if it would reap the State millions. According to the book, The Real Marijuana Danger by Malcolm E. Smith published by Suffolk House in New York “the pulmonary pathology evoked by marijuana smoke in rats were similar to those seen in man and animals exposed to tobacco smoke” (page 88) Furthermore, in discussing the medical effects of marijuana, The National Institute on Drug Abuse made reference to a recent study which found that “smoking 4 or more joints per week decreased vital capacity (amount of air lungs can exhale following a deep breath) as much as smoking nearly a pack of cigarettes a day”. (page 89) This book is heavily sourced by hundreds of professional studies, journals, and reports on pages 225-242.

Does Mr. Beach know that studies show marijuana has 50-70 percent more cancer causing substances than cigarettes? Does he know or care that experts tell us that the brain is not fully developed until age 25 and that heavy use of marijuana has been shown to cause schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis? Does Mr. Beach know that experts tell us that marijuana use reduces personal initiative, lessens the ability to concentrate and likely increases the risk of developing leukemia?

Our group has anecdotal evidence that Colorado students who were once active, athletic people have been found to sit inside and get stoned. “This is what we do now” a former Colorado classmate was told when she returned to Colorado from Connecticut to have a reunion with classmates.

The book listed above goes on to talk of malignant lesions, impairment of lymphocytes, tissue destruction, immune system defense weaknesses, cell division problems, liver disease, endocrine system impacts, marked bronchitis impact, and many other problems associated with marijuana use. Read the book and see the hundreds of studies before glibly seeking that cure all pot of gold. Yes, our children are just that important and their mental and physical health should not be compromised.