Gov. Josh Shapiro’s eyes were beaming at the thought of additional tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales to prop up our overpriced education system (we rank No. 8 in education spending). These facts come from Smart Approach to Marijuana:

• Marijuana has psychological effects.

• Marijuana is addictive.

• Marijuana doesn’t meet FDA standards as a medication.

• Adult legalization leads to a 25% increase in use by minors.

• Marijuana has 10 to 20 times more THC than it had in the 1970s.

• Marijuana leads to more opioid use.

• Marijuana increases car accidents and raises insurance rates.

• Marijuana does not reduce black market sales.

• For every dollar in revenue, there is $4.50 in associated costs.

• Production costs 4 to 5 times more than coal or oil production.

• Marijuana affects the brain structure and leads to increased suicides.

Like abortion, marijuana does more harm than good. How about teaching your children self-control and high standards instead?

John Ventre

Hempfield

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