The letters that have run in the Collegian recently demonizing marijuana are a perfect example of the societal misinformation which plague the marijuana legalization effort. It's always interesting to hear of these "studies" supporting the dangers of this horrific drug. Particularly, the study that was cited suggesting marijuana contains four times as many cancer-causing agents as tobacco is highly outdated. These findings, which were released several decades ago, have been utterly refuted by recent studies that have found absolutely no link between heavy marijuana use and the incidence of lung cancer. In fact, the study suggested there may be a preventative effect. The strangest part? This study was funded by anti-drug groups. When the findings of a study completely contradict the interests of the funding group, you need to take a closer look.

Legalizers aren't ignoring these "facts," as one writer suggested. Rather, they're looking beyond the governmental misinformation that was the basis for marijuana criminalization in the first place. The fact is that marijuana is nearly benign in terms of health and societal risk when compared to a substance such as alcohol (which Penn State seems to have no problem consuming in idiotic excess seven nights a week.) People who argue the dangers of marijuana have never smoked it and have never been around it. Marijuana use is far more prevalent than people would like to admit, though users are hesitant to advertise their habits due to the stigma attached, evidenced by these letters. I encourage anti-marijuana advocates to open their minds and try to see the other side of the argument. Maybe we could all hash it out over a joint sometime.