Kids on cannabis, arts, ballot petitions, fine for ex-nurse, Mattituck farmer's sign

Today’s weed is far stronger than ever

Mental health professionals note an increase in cannabis use disorder “Cannabis-related kids ER visits rise,” News, July 10]. That is because the levels in today’s marijuana are much higher and more concentrated, four to five times stronger than in the 1990s and up to 10 times stronger than the 1970s because of the growing process.

A National Institutes of Health study shows that 10-30% of regular users develop CUD, which can cause addiction, severe withdrawal, and cannabis-induced psychosis, including schizophrenia. Brain MRIs support a link between marijuana use and psychosis risk, especially affecting kids 17 and younger as their brains develop.

Cannabis-related emergency room visits are indeed rising for kids. Those who say that kids do not have easy access to cannabis need to think again.

— Bob Sommers, East Islip

Arts help build our future workforce

Anthony Mazzocchi cogently described the role that public education plays in developing the generations of artists who sustain New York’s cultural richness “Cultural leadership taught, not inherited,” Opinion, July 7].

For economic planners, his brief mention of the positive economic impact of arts performance should be well understood. But there is more: As those planners try to attract high tech and other businesses, they should be just as aware that arts education from infancy through adolescence — both inside and outside public schools, and across all economic and ethnic levels — fosters creativity, problem-solving, communication, and other social skills. It also contributes to greater academic success, generating the workforce sought by those businesses.

— Steve Bard, Hauppauge

Ballot petition math favors the insiders

Ian R. Cohen is right on point regarding New York’s nominating petition process serving as incumbent protection [“Here’s what it’s like trying to organize a petition to get on the ballot in Suffolk County,” Opinion, June 30].

Active in politics over the years, I have seen insurgent candidates routinely disqualified — and sometimes even prosecuted — for petition mistakes or violations that were ignored or minimized when committed by party establishment candidates.

But Cohen then complains that “major party candidates need a fraction of the signatures that an independent does” to get on the ballot. That is true but misleading.

Those seeking a party’s ballot line can collect signatures only from registered party members. Petitions for an independent line can be signed by any registered voters residing in the jurisdiction — Republicans, Democrats, Conservatives, Working Families Party members, and those with no party affiliation.

That is a much larger pool of potential signers. Hence, a larger number of signatures is required.

In presenting himself as an alternative to politics-as-usual, Cohen needs to avoid half-truths too often employed by our entrenched political elites.

— Rick Hinshaw, Lynbrook

The writer was the public information officer for the Nassau County district attorney’s office from 2001 to 2004.

Fine for ex-nurse isn’t nearly enough for her

Julie DeVuono, the nurse who put more than 160 kids at risk of measles, polio, or even death, and made more than $1.2 million doing it, gets a fine of $544,000 [“State fines ex-nurse $544,000,” News, July 10]. That means she gets no time in prison — just a bill on top of the $1.2 million she already forfeited. Still looks like a good deal to me.

— Eileen Hession, Long Beach

Besides the $544,000 fine Julie DeVuono must pay for falsifying 162 kids’ immunization records, she should be imprisoned for at least 10 years.

— Thomas Sarc, Central Islip

Gold leaf and now a visit to an LI farmer

The egregious waste of resources by the administration in Washington and historic additions to the national debt are well-documented. From covering everything in sight in crass gold leaf to waging a war he apparently has no idea how to manage or end, President Donald Trump has wasted taxpayer dollars like no one before.

The latest example, sending the Secret Service to intimidate a Mattituck farmer who was exercising his First Amendment rights by posting a sign saying “86 47,” is a new low [“LI man takes down sign after Secret Service visit,” News, July 11].

Aside from the threatening nature of this response, how much did it cost to send federal agents to the home of a 78-year-old man who was doing nothing wrong? Is that what federal agents are supposed to do now — prevent anyone from pointing out the president’s dismal standing with some voters? If so, we’re going to need a lot more of them.

— Cynthia Lovecchio, Remsenburg