To The Editor:
In his column calling for the decriminalization of marijuana (June 21), Alan Chartock notes that “Alcohol is every bit as dangerous as marijuana.” He is being kind.
Alcohol is also a “gateway” drug, but is legally available and heavily advertised. Yet studies show that nicotine is an even more significant “gateway” drug. And tobacco is not only legally available and heavily adverrtised, but is partially subsidized by the U.S. government. This means that the percentage of health care costs attributable to tobacco – including heart disease (the number one killer in America) and emphysema and other lung-related diseases – are contributed to, if not caused by, the government itself.
And although I do not condone the willy-nilly use of marijuana by just anyone, a few facts are in order. First, there has never been a single case in which a person’s death was attributable to marijuana (unless the marijuana was tainted with something else). Yet alcohol-related deaths (including liver diseases and drunk driving) are estimated at 350,000 to 400,000 per year. And tobacco-related deaths are even higher. Second, consider that the country of Jamaica – with the highest consumption rate of marijuana in the world – has among the lowest lung cancer rates in the world, yet China, which has among the lowest marijuana consumption rates in the world, has among the highest lung cancer rates: it is no surprise that China also has among the highest percentage of cigarette smokers. Third, unlike alcohol and tobacco, marijuana has known and proven beneficial uses: it helps ease the pain and pressure associated with glaucoma; helps increase appetite in HIV-positive persons taking certain drugs with appetite-suppressing side effects; and eases the nausea and other side effects of chemo- and radiation therapy. As well, given that it lowers blood pressure, an increasing number of highly respected cardiologists and other medical personnel are suggesting that marijuana may well prove to be among the safest, most effective ways to combat some heart diseases, including high blood pressure and heart attacks. Fourth, the decriminalization (if not legalization) of marijuana would probably have a more significant positive effect on the “war on drugs” than everything that law enforcement has accomplished over the past 30 years – at a fraction of the hundreds of billions of dollars wasted on that effort.
Finally, it is worth noting that hemp (the plant from which marijuana is derived) is among the most useful plants in the world: every part of it – stem fibers, oil, flowers – has multiple uses, including for rope, clothing, fuel, and medical uses. Indeed, the first U.S. currency was made from marijuana hemp, as were the country’s first flags.
Not only would decriminalization (or legalization) have numerous immediate benefits, but if the government grew marijuana instead of tobacco, it could not only help create agricultural and manufacturing jobs, but also derive tens – maybe hundreds – of billions of dollars in taxes instead of spending that money on the health-related costs of tobacco consumption.
Ian Alterman
Upper West Side
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