A letter in response to Wake Tech's (local community college) Drug and Alcohol Policy
Greetings.
I received an email from your school today quoting the Alcohol and Drug policy for Wake Tech.
I want to let you know that the policy documentation needs some revising as it has invalid information, specifically the section about Marijuana. There are several items under the 'Did you know that' section that are not accurate and some that are scientifically unfounded. I have responded to them inline below:
* Possession of marijuana is illegal in all fifty states.
Marijuana is actually now legal in 2 states. Colorado and Washing state have legalized Marijuana for recreational use. It is also legal for medical use in several additional states.
The following statements have never been scientifically proven and I find it very alarming that an academic institution is providing false information to it's students when it is supposed to be educating them.
* During pregnancy, marijuana may cause birth defects.
* Marijuana may cause impaired short-term memory, a shortened attention span and delayed reflexes.
* Marijuana may cause relaxed inhibitions, disoriented behavior.
* Contains more than 400 other chemicals.
This is not accurate information.
I find the 'risks' you have outlined completely insulting as they are unfounded and exaggerated. My grandmother and brother both had cancer. My grandmother had cancer all over her body and would not eat a thing. When she used Marijuana it brought her appetite back and made her smile. She did not make it due to how far the cancer had gotten and her age but it did help her. My brother had stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and used Marijuana as a rehabilitating method, he survived and is doing well. It is also used to help epileptic children, yes CHILDREN as well as adults who have seizures. This is scientific fact.
I find it completely absurd that you would insinuate Marijuana puts anyone at 'risk of AIDS and other STDs' or 'increases risk of Cancer'.
It is 2014 and prohibition has caused much more damage to people's lives than good. You are contributing to the problem when you publish this type of misinformation.
No I am not suggesting you make it OK to use Marijuana on campus, I am simply pointing out that your policy needs to be re-written to reflect the current year.
Sources:
No I am not suggesting you make it OK to use Marijuana on campus, I am simply pointing out that your policy needs to be re-written to reflect the current year.
Here is a direct copy of their policy on Marijuana:
"Marijuana
Also known as: Pot, Grass, Joints, Roaches, Reefer, Weed, Mary Jane
Did you know that:
* Marijuana may cause impaired short-term memory, a shortened attention span and delayed reflexes.
* During pregnancy, marijuana may cause birth defects.
* Marijuana may cause a fast heart rate and pulse.
* Repeated use of marijuana may cause breathing problems.
* Possession of marijuana is illegal in all fifty states.
* Marijuana may cause relaxed inhibitions, disoriented behavior.
* All forms of marijuana are mind-altering. In other words, they change how the brain works.
- Contains THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the main active chemical in marijuana.
- Contain more than 400 other chemicals.
- Effects on the user depend on its strength or potency, which is related to the amount of THC it contains.
- THC content of marijuana has been increasing since the 1970s.
Marijuana Risks:
Impaired perception, Diminished short - term memory, loss of concentration and coordination, impaired judgment, increased risk of accidents, loss of motivation, diminished inhibitions, risk of AIDS and other STDs, increased heart rate, anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoia,
hallucinations, damage to the respiratory, reproductive, and immune systems, increased risk of cancer, psychological issues."
