Letter: Dangers of marijuana

Your recent article regarding medical marijuana usage was very well done. The studies have been done, for a long time, indicating that marijuana is more dangerous than many people choose to admit. Tobacco was thought to be beneficial for troops in battle or in training. In World War II, our troops were given free cigarettes. In the 1950s, cartons of cigarettes were sold to our military service personnel for $1 per carton. We can see how helpful it was. And, now we’re creating similar problems – with a more dangerous substance, i.e., marijuana.

Regarding other action that will create major problems, both medical and legal, the pressure is on to allow “gays” into the Boy Scouts.

Let’s see now, if a scoutmaster is gay, he will be sexually attracted to members of his same sex. Problems may well result; it seems the recent problems at Penn State and other institutions should teach us something. Also, it is like having the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts going camping together and this would, of course, include adult men and women as scoutmasters or staff. It could cause some “distraction” from normal scouting activities. People have long lives in which then can be involved with sex – there is no reason to push young people into it.

There is also the medical problem for gay persons. In May of 2012, the FDA advisory panel recommended approval of the drug Truvada. The drug is intended for people who are at risk of contracting HIV, including gay and bisexual men and heterosexual couples with one HIV partner. It is like this, if you cross connect the human plumbing system, you risk contaminating the body with E. coli bacteria, salmonella and other viruses.