I would just like to thank you profusely - on behalf of the many
members of the U.S. Congress who have been able to see your written bibliography
of marijuana studies -- for creating what I believe to be the best existing
bibliography on studies detailing damage caused by marijuana that exists.
The studies you cited, as we have referred to them and found them, are
breath-taking. They clearly demonstrate the damage done to the human
brain functions and the organ itself, to the varied organs of the body,
including the heart, lungs and reproductive systems of males and females
(especially at a young age), the damage done to the immune system (accelerating
both HIV into AIDs, and AIDs into the fatal terminus of that disease),
and an array of internationally- documented psychological
impairments. This bibliography was used only yesterday in a congressional
hearing that was widely reported in the AP news service and will appear
in Sunday's New York Times (I am told) on the dangers of drug legalization.
Your work, and that of your organization, is compelling, important, should
be heard or read by every parent in the United States and Canada, and is
making a difference - it was a pivotal piece of the hearing and follow-on
discussions around the US Congress, and was specifically cited by Congressmen
Bob Barr of Georgia, John Mica of Florida, Asa Hutchinson of
Arkansas, and Mark Souder of Indiana. It was - and I applaud your effort
now and into the future - a strong, factually-based and highly influential
resource in describing for the United States Congress why the policy choices
of decriminalizing this drug, legalizing this drug, or following the fictitious
notion (a false and misleading name for the promotion of substances that
destroy the lives of children and adults both) of harm reduction - are
all terrible choices. Your work is to be commended, and I
hope that we can continue to circulate your fine set of medical and
statistical evidence of marijuana's deadly potential to the many thousands
of Americans who need and want this vital information. Thank you
for your determination, accuracy, organization of information and people,
and caring
- Sincerely,
Robert B. Charles
Chief of Staff and Chief Counsel
Subcommittee on Criminal Justice,
Drug policy and Human Resources
U.S. House of Representatives