'February 8, 1982

The Honorable C. Everett Koop
Surgeon General
Hubert Humphrey Building
Room 716-G
200 Indiana Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C.   20201

Dear General Koop:

  During the past several years-there has been a great
deal of discussion as to the long-term physiological effects
of marijuana use on human beings.  No definitive position
has been taken since there was very minimal scientific
'research data available.  Since 1960, however, marijuana use
has escalated dramatically and several research projects
have been undertaken.. As a result, there is a considerable
body of evidence which indicates that widespread and continued
use of marijuana has significant effects,  Past Surgeon
Generals, despite health warnings on cigarettes, have not
made any comments about the health.hazards associated with
continued marijuana smoking.

  I would encourage the Surgeon General to immediately
review the evidence regarding continued marijuana use and
make a finding regarding the .health hazards associated with
marijuana use.  A few findings of scientific research that I
am aware of are summarized below.

0   Research indicates 'that marijuana does have a
  detrimental effect on memory and cognition.
                            s

0   The National Institute'on Drug Abuse study suggests
  that marijuana affects the cardiovascular system,
   the immune response, and the reproductive system.

6   A recent report on health promotion and disease
  prevention stated that young people now have a
  higher death rate than twenty years ago; . Alcohol
  and drug abuse are listed among the most common
  health related prodlems for this age group.


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0   The Nati,onal Highway Traffic Safety Administration
   has done a study that demonstrates that marijuana
   was used by a significant percentage of drivers
   involved in fatal accidents and in driving while
    intoxicated arrests.

0   Analysis of marijuana  smoke reveals more tars and
   carcinogens than are'present in tobacco smoke.   Yet
   there is no public admonition against smoking
  marij'uana as there is for cigarettes.

   If you conclude that marijuana can be harmful to the
smoker's health,  it-would be of inestimable help to drug
enforcement and parent groups to make a.warning statement
public.  There are currently thousands of parent groups
throughout the United States that have formed a national
coalition to stop marijuana and other substance use.  They
'have had some recent successes since their formulation  in
1978.  However, a national medical authority making a
specific and strong statement against marijuana use would
provide much needed support for concerned parents.  Moreover,
the Surgeon General has official communication channels
throughout the medical community to remind health professionals
and family physicians of their professional responsibilities
by advising parents and patients about the potential ill
effects of marijuana use.

  I encourage you to become an effective ally of the
Department of Justice in its effort to combat escalating.
drug use among Americans.  The Surgeon General has certain
institutional powers and considerable, prestige that he can
direct towards eliminating or reducing the justification for
the'social use of marijuana.  A well-publicized statement
followed up through professional channels will do much to
reduce the acceptance of marijuana throughout society.
                                                '.

William Frenc
Attorney General