Letters to the editor: Cannabis referendum; what NZ offers

There are better options available than legalising cannabis, says a reader. Photo / File

I get tired of reading about these people who want to legalise cannabis.

There are well-proven facts that taking cannabis interferes with the normal growth and development of reproductive organs even to the age of 30; has a very adverse effect on normal personality, damaging brain areas used for rational decision making and impulse control; and, more seriously, causes a predilection to move on to harder drugs.

I have worked at the adolescent units at Wakari Hospital, Dunedin, and at Auckland Hospital and all my younger patients started out on cannabis before becoming addicted to harder drugs, leading to an extensive and costly cure.

These were the lucky ones. Many youngsters died without receiving treatment.

There are many modern and effective non-addictive painkillers available now without being drugged on cannabis or its derivatives.

Keep cannabis illegal.

I Clayton-Bray, clinical psychologist
Tauranga

NZ has much to offer

Bryan Gould's October 6 opinion column, partly headlined: Managing the economy, raises many important aspects that are so often overlooked or taken for granted, and especially so during this election period when it's combined with the challenging pandemic threatening our normal world, along with global warming, fires, floods among other inequalities.

But by his adding this addition to the headline: - but in whose interest? provides the critical question that identifies the understanding needed if we're going to really address the causes behind all these inherited challenges, that I believe we'd over generations been unconsciously fostering.

Understanding that our species as just one of a myriad of others occupying our planet, forming its closed system with their dependence on each other; the understanding that all our young inherit human and social potentials which when fostered from their first experiences establishes the foundation as the basis of all their future interaction with other species; so overcoming the greedy, selfishness and desire for power and control from the also inherited animal and survival instincts, that are increasingly dominant today.

Our success combating Covid 19, the continuing critical efforts of volunteers, the increasing acceptance of laws and requests, indicate to me that New Zealand has much to offer for a better future to earth if encouraged.

Hugh Hughes
Mount Maunganui

The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters from readers. Please note the following:

• Letters should not exceed 200 words.

• They should be opinion based on facts or current events.

• If possible, please email.

• No noms-de-plume.

• Letters will be published with names and suburb/city.

• Please include full name, address and contact details for our records only.

• Local letter writers given preference.

• Rejected letters are not normally acknowledged.

• Letters may be edited, abridged, or rejected at the Editor's discretion.

• The Editor's decision on publication is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

Email editor@bayofplentytimes.co.nz