Marijuana – a reality check

Thanks, Cyrille Velasco, for raising awareness about marijuana and its dangers to mental health.
The spouse of Alex Berenson, author of the article mentioned, was a senior psychiatrist at the Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Institute in New Hampton where New York State sends the criminally mentally ill; hence, the author’s well-informed knowledge on this subject.
The Feb. 1st Photo News article on legalizing pot mentions Gov. Cuomo’s state health officials determined the “benefits outweigh the risks.” These officials either aren’t aware of or have ignored the voices of experienced mental health professionals who deal daily with the destructive impact of drug use of all kinds, including marijuana.
They’re also ignoring the fact that, as alcohol’s impact has proven, legalizing “recreational” marijuana will increase compromised drivers on our highways, jeopardizing safety, adding extra burden on our police forces and requiring more funds from taxpayers to handle this problem.
This is already happening in states where legalization has passed.
Let’s face it – the “benefit” of legalizing marijuana is primarily about the big money it will generate for the state and private sector proponents.
If that’s more important to our politicians than the detrimental effects it will have on society, shame on them.
Ingrid Magar
Tuxedo