Letter: We’d all be better off without pot

The local licensed dope dealers and the potheads are once again upset as citizens complain that the obnoxious odor of the growing weeds are intruding on their peaceful neighborhoods.

Complaints of increased traffic at the pot stores and the fact that this undesirable Schedule 1 drug, which violates federal law, is in the face of children is bad enough. Working in the addiction field for the past 30 years has shown me the evident command of marijuana ruining not only the lives of those who use it, but entire families. And yes, it is addictive.

Besides causing many adults to become dependent on it, the developing minds and bodies of teens are powerfully drawn to its potent addictive properties as well. Don’t deny the fact that the link between cannabis use and the onset of schizophrenia and other manifestations of mental illness are real. I see it each and every day. As one cannabis grow property owner remarked in response to those who only wish to live in a neighborhood free of the problems stemming from pot: “And in business, if you don’t grow, you die.”

I say, let it die. We’re all better off without it.

This story was originally published December 15, 2017 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Letter: We’d all be better off without pot."