Know the risks and consequences
Editor: Recreational marijuana: are there health effects? Yes, there are health effects. I encourage everyone who reads these articles on recreational marijuana and “How our time has come” to go online and read about the health effects of smoking marijuana. There are many articles available on the web: Journal of Drug Education, Journal of the American Medical Association, The American Journal on Addictions, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, WebMD, Public Health Department of California etc.
“Putting smoke in your lungs is not good for the lungs,” says Roland Lamarine, HSD, professor of public health at California State University, Chico. Smoking marijuana produces a nearly threefold increase of inhaled tar compared with tobacco. Not only are you damaging your lungs but there may be an additive effect to combine with tobacco products. Marijuana smoke contains cancer-causing substances and there are some research studies that shows that marijuana smoke has up to 70 percent more cancer-causing substances than tobacco smoke.
The study by Lamarine also states long term heavy use of marijuana can lead to impaired thinking skills and memory problems. These impairments can be hazardous when trying to do everyday activities such as driving. Studies have shown that combining smoking marijuana with alcohol definitely raises traffic accidents. These impairments appear to be most significant 20–40 minutes after using marijuana and can last up to three hours or longer.
Numerous studies have linked marijuana use with schizophrenia, a brain disorder where people may think they hear voices and that people are controlling their minds and thoughts. Marijuana use can be linked with causing anxiety in some patients and panic attacks in others. Recreational smokers need to be aware of the risks of smoking marijuana. Please don’t be influenced by the “Let the Good Times Roll” society and the monetary benefit of recreational marijuana for the state of California. Do the research, know the facts, know the risks, and know the consequences. It’s a matter of life and your health.
Fred Besio, Cloverdale
Seek common values
Editor: As I read the commentary about the election of Donald Trump I found I was, for the first time as a longtime subscriber, planning to cancel my subscription. First of all, I did not vote for Trump (or Clinton) I voted independent. I did not agree with the hate and intolerance expressed by either leading candidate.
Your commentary continues the intolerance and hate. As a Christian (Roman Catholic) I found your comments about so many Americans sadly amazing. To refer to anyone as a “trash barrel fire” or to describe those who voted for him as accrued filth is as bigoted and hateful as anything that came from his campaign. [And you surely understand all politicians, including our president, use teleprompters. Why was this so offensive when used by Trump?]
Why is it so hard to respectfully disagree with someone and yet understand they are a human soul of worth?
I was tempted to cancel my subscription, as I want no part of this ongoing hate and intolerance. But I realized that if this nation is to heal and be American once again we need to, once again, listen to each other, perhaps disagree, but respect and seek our common values and build from there. I write this as a liberal conservative who hopes you may see past my faith and my other qualities you find so inferior and perhaps realize there are many values we all share.
Harry Martin, Cloverdale
Raffle for sculpture trail
Editor: The Cloverdale Historical Society, as part of our Community Awareness Program, is sponsoring a raffle to support the Cloverdale Sculpture Trail. The winner will receive a “Wine Country Package” generously donated by Kelley & Young Wine Garden Inn. The package includes a one night stay for two in one of the inn’s newly and beautifully appointed guest rooms. During the winner’s prearranged visit, the winner and eight friends will enjoy Kelley & Young’s small production wines paired with small bites. The package also includes a three-bottle Vintner’s Taster Pack (2015 Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 Kathleen Rose & 2015 Zinfandel). This package is valued at $642.
Don’t miss this opportunity to win a great wine country package at the cost of only $5 for each raffle ticket or 5 for $20. Tickets may be purchased at Mail Center, Etc. at 207 N. Cloverdale Blvd., the History Museum at 215 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Bolt Fabric + Home at 219 N. Cloverdale Blvd. or online at www.101sculpturetrail.com.
The drawing will be Dec. 15 at the Cloverdale Chamber and History Museum’s Holiday Mixer, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Cloverdale Historical Society. You do not have to be present to win. Chamber members and museum members and supporters are invited to the open house.
We hope you will join us in expanding awareness of sculptures and their beauty by supporting the Cloverdale Sculpture Trail, a program that has enriched Cloverdale and contributed to its recent history as a cultural destination. Money raised through raffle tickets sales will help support the 2017-2018 Cloverdale Sculpture Trail and its planned expansion projects.
Elissa Morrash, Executive Director, Cloverdale Historical Society
