Letters: Marijuana, opioids, lunch, Bernie Sanders

Marijuana is a pretty poison

Re “Firms struggle to find workers who can pass a drug test” (Page 1B, May 18): As society declines drug use increases as things worsen. Now businesses struggle to find persons who can pass a drug test. The main reason is marijuana. Some governments even promote it for tax income.

Marijuana is affordable, simple and easy to use. It stinks, but leaves no aftereffects, no hangover. It impairs users, depressing their senses, relaxing them, causing euphoria and false perceptions, distorting reality. The effect varies depending on the person, the quality and quantity.

There is no test for impairment, only for use. Under stress, an adrenaline surge can allow users to act normally for brief periods of time. Even “buzzed” their reactions and judgment have varied impairment, although they claim they are only “relaxed.” Marijuana destroys initiative and families, habituating some and addicting others, although users don’t perceive it.

Marijuana is a pretty poison. It slowly destroys peoples’ lives and society.

Legalization is wrong answer

This article should be required reading for all registered voters if the initiative to legalize the recreational use of marijuana qualifies for the November ballot. To me it explains quite clearly that using drugs, including marijuana, can be detrimental to finding a good job.

Don’t legalize a gateway drug

Lawmakers, police and medical community oppose legalizing pot. Marijuana users cannot pass drug tests. I lost a daughter to drugs. Marijuana was her gateway drug. If pot has a medical use, a doctor can prescribe it. I cannot see that the proposed legislation can pass the tests of good law.

Thoughtful answer to drug abuse

Re “Pain specialists are on front line in war on opioid abuse” (Viewpoints, May 18): Dr. Shalina Shah presented a very calm and sensible approach to the serious problem of the abuse of opioids and other pain killers.

It is ridiculous to lay the problem at the feet of improper training of physicians. If that were the problem, we would have a much bigger problem than opioid abuse. We must expect physicians to have excellent training in all aspects of their practice. Certainly, better than government regulators of medical treatment.

Be aware of what you ingest

Re “Schools chew on how to satisfy students with healthier meals” (Page 3A, May 16): What an excellent article about food services to students. A 10-year-old student said she makes her own lunch because there’s no flavor in school meals.

It’s impossible for government to satisfy the food demands for each student in the proper manner. Parents should teach their children to be responsible for what they ingest.

Sanders should speak loudly

Re “Bernie Sanders can’t afford to stay silent any longer” (Editorials, May 18) The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board has it backward. Instead of criticizing Bernie Sanders for not condemning the reactions of his supporters at the Nevada Democratic Convention, look at the reason for the angry eruption.

Convention Chairperson Roberta Lange abused the absolute power she had in running the event. Profound corruption. Abuse of power. Unfairness. Silencing objectors. Just another piece of evidence that people have had it with the corrupted establishment and rigged elections, and rightly so.

Sanders doesn’t need to curtail the expression of anger by his supporters. Instead, Democratic Party leaders should condemn this blatant corruption, conduct a recount, and take appropriate measures to ensure fairness and transparency in the election process in the future.

Blame democrats for anger

Nevada Democratic Party officials refused to entertain valid motions for a revote and shut off people’s microphones while they were speaking. All this and more is available on video.

When Sanders’ supporters refused to take this lying down, they were accused of violence, though no evidence exists. Just as columnist Erika D. Smith misrepresented the crowd at the Sacramento Sanders rally last week, this is a blatant attempt to discredit Sanders and his followers.

This story was originally published May 20, 2016 at 5:31 AM with the headline "Letters: Marijuana, opioids, lunch, Bernie Sanders."