University of Virginia Library

Pot Scare Misunderstood

RENO, Nev. — Dr. Wesley Hall,
president-elect of the American
Medical Association, says his
remarks-linking marijuana to birth
defects or loss of sex drive were
misunderstood.

Mr. Hall said Wednesday his
earlier remarks referred to chronic
users of marijuana who also use
such drugs as LSD.

He said there is no evidence at
present to link marijuana alone to
these ill-effects, but "there is all
kinds of evidence to show that LSD
causes birth defects."

Dr. Hall said he did not correct
the report sooner because he
thought it was a good idea to
discourage marijuana usage.

"If I'm taken out of context and
it does some good," he said, "I
don't mind."