A recent editorial highlighted research in New Zealand warning that a long-term decrease in IQ may result from regular marijuana use before age 18 (“Adolescent pot use can literally be a dumb idea,” Aug. 30).
Another worrisome problem in vulnerable individuals is the onset of psychotic symptoms — hallucinations, paranoid delusional thinking and other impairment — that can be triggered by daily exposure to the THC in marijuana smoke.
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During the years that the Portland Identification and Early Referral program treated young people at risk of developing psychotic-level mental illnesses, our clinical experience showed that heavy marijuana use could accelerate the onset of a first psychotic episode requiring hospitalization.
Moreover, at least one individual whose hallucinations and paranoia had been successfully controlled with medication and other treatment had a recurrence of symptoms in another country after heavy marijuana use.
Fortunately, after three days of abstinence, symptoms disappeared. It was a painful lesson learned about “playing with fire.”
In research settings, high dose THC may cause psychotic symptoms to occur, even in some normal subjects.
With higher potency “medical marijuana” now available, the risk of a possible psychotic episode should compel extra vigilance among medical caretakers, parents and others dealing with young people.
To learn more about “Warning Signs of Serious Mental Illness,” search www.HealthyMinds.org and download the “Let’sTalk Facts …” for a free brochure of that title.
James H. Maier, M.D.
Scarborough
Do you want your tax money going to aid China?
The agency of our government called USAID is charged with taking our tax money and giving it to various governments around the world.
Over the last 10 years, they have given $275 million of our tax money to support economic development in China.
China — a country that steals our intellectual property, violates the environment, trades with and supports our enemies.
Do you feel good about your tax money going toward aid to China? Does it make any sense to be giving money that we borrow from China back to China in the form of foreign aid?
I am sure our politicians have all sorts of excuses about this terrible waste of your tax money.
The fact is this is just another example of the government wasting our money.
So, when you are struggling to pay your taxes, oil bill and food bill, remember, your government is sending a portion of your money to China.
Maybe we should remember that Obama, Snow, Collins, Pingree and Michaud are responsible for this awful waste of our tax money.
James Waterhouse
Dayton
Not everyone can keep up with rising cost of living
A recent letter writer referred to panhandlers as “bums,” defined by Webster’s as “one who avoids work and tries to live off others” (“City policy encourages panhandlers,” Sept. 13).
The significant increase in people who are panhandling coincides with a significant increase in the cost of living.
I calculate our cost of living has increased by over $100 per month since the beginning of the summer. This includes a $60 increase in our mortgage escrow.
Not everyone can absorb these costs or find extra work to make up the difference.
I suspect there are a great many people who are not trying to avoid work, but eviction and hunger and, soon, the cold.
I am one of the “dolts” who gives regularly to panhandlers.
I have never observed one approaching a car unless the driver clearly indicates they are making a donation.
They always politely express their gratitude, and many bear signs indicating they are willing to work.
I recently gave to a young woman.
I am really disturbed by how many of them I have seen recently.
It doesn’t take much imagination to realize what they could do instead, for much greater profit.
The woman broke down in tears as she accepted the money.
It was the end of the day, and I can only imagine how long and hard that day was for her.
I can only imagine how hard it must be for her to expose herself to the contempt of others as she struggles to make her way in these difficult economic times.
Zoe Goody
Cape Elizabeth
A behind-the-scenes look at Obama’s inner circle
We take you behind the scenes to the weekly meeting of the innermost circle of the Obama re-election campaign.
As the scene opens, the weekly progress report is being read.
Q: “How did the ‘Mitt Romney killed my wife’ thing go?”
A: “It worked for a while, but when people found out that the Oprah Winfrey Foundation invests in Bain Capital, it kind of lost steam.”
Q: “How did the ‘Paul Ryan is Joseph Goebbels reincarnate’ go?”
A: “It never even got off the ground. We caught a lot of heat for it, and some people even had the nerve to laugh at it — they said it was silly. Then when someone pointed out that the president had submitted a budget that the Senate rejected 97-0 and the House rejected 414-0, it really lost steam. “
Q: “How did the ‘War On Women’ (aka WOW) go?”
A: “It was working great for a while, but then people remembered the adventures of Bill Clinton, John Edwards, Gary Hart, Elliott Spitzer and Anthony Weiner and stopped taking it seriously.”
Pause.
(Hesitant voice in the background): “I hate to be a stick-in-the-mud, but sooner or later we’re going to have to talk about our record.”
“We’ve still got six weeks to go — don’t say that! Don’t you dare say that!”
Terence McManus
New Sharon
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