Breeding new addicts
Cannabis products are becoming an issue for Buckeyes.
In the 1980s and 1990s, marijuana flowers typically contained 3% to 6% THC. Today, my classmates may smoke weed containing 15% to 30% THC, in addition to concentrated products such as pens and dab rigs that can contain nearly pure THC.
This commercialization has led to a situation that seemingly makes it easier for those with fake IDs to walk into a smoke shop or gas station and have access to a wide range of THC products. I’ve seen kids as young as 16 buy from a smoke shop. And I have seen children as young as 13 smoking on High Street.
The commoditization of the drug, turning it into fun candies, seltzers and sodas, has destigmatized its use, made it easier to get ahold of and made it more
appealing to kids. Moreover, these smoke shops and gas stations act as breeding grounds for new addictions, as they present pot users with a wide range of new, strange and unregulated drugs.
This includes the highly addictive opiate-like kratom and a variety of intense and oftentimes traumatizing “mushroom” psychedelic concoctions.
If I had to count on my two hands how many of my close friends use THC products on a daily basis, I’d run out of fingers. I have friends who want to quit but can’t. Our generation was told pot was nonaddictive. I am learning from both my experience and the experience of my friends that this was a lie.
George Fisher, Columbus
Acton didn't attack law enforcement
ReWhat Strickland cannot erase what Acton said about ICE and the KKK," Aug. 12: Rep. Jeff LaRe’s letter criticizing Amy Acton’s comments regarding ICE attempted to cast Acton as someone who does not respect the actions of law enforcement.
He characterized her comments about ICE as a tirade against all law enforcement, which was untrue.
Her comments were directed at ICE, the group that wears masks to shield its identity, detains individuals without due process and access to legal representation, has falsely posed as local law enforcement, and has been documented as having minimal experience and training compared with well-trained law enforcement.
We can all, and I’m sure Acton does, support our local law enforcement agencies and, at the same time, be disappointed and disgusted by the actions of ICE.
Since LaRe did not mention any of the unsettling aspects of the actions of ICE agents, I assume he believes their credentials and behaviors are on par with those of local law enforcement. It is unfortunate that he cannot see the difference.
Chris Zirkle, Pickerington
Ginther couldn't balance my checkbook
Re "Ginther defends city spending millions on now-canceled courthouse," Aug. 2: In 2019, voters approved a $130 million bond, and in 2024, the city added an additional $150 million for the new courthouse.
Move forward to 2026, and Mayor Andrew Ginther has canceled the project after already investing $26 million! He said that $14.5 million of that will be transferable to the renovation of the existing courthouse; the rest is a sunk cost.
As a voter and as someone who pays taxes in this city, I sure am glad Ginther isn't balancing my checkbook.
Kathy Timbrook, Reynoldsburg
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: My friends are hooked on marijuana and THC. I've seen 13-year-olds smoking | Letters
