To The editor:As a Missouri state undercover agent during the 1970s I witnessed people getting high on 1-3 percent THC. Abusers were impaired and had personality changes. I saw child neglect, parents getting children high and even babies, some teens and adults developed paranoia and criminal behavior.During the 1980s and 1990s I saw a noticeable change in marijuana abusers due to marijuana being 2-10 percent THC. Current national average is near 15 percent in plants and over 50 percent THC extract (oil, wax). We are seeing significant change in behavior, clinical symptoms, and impact to brain behavior is obvious.Since 2006 (there has been) credible documentation of increased paranoia, anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations, erratic mood swings, aggressive behavior, increased highway fatalities, suicides, adolescent treatment admissions, and emergency room visits involving marijuana.The top 14 states with laws allowing marijuana as medicine rank highest in 12 to 17 year-olds abusing marijuana. Regulated alcohol is the number one preventable killer of teens, so why would regulated marijuana work?We are about to repeat what might have been a dark history in the USA had it not been for Dr. Frances Kelsey, medical officer for the Food and Drug Administration. She took a stand against thalidomide. Marijuana, not unlike thalidomide, can cause a range of severe congenital deformities and even infant death when used medically or recreationally by pregnant women. There is growing concern that males using marijuana may produce similar congenital risks.U.S. manufacturer Richardson-Merrell grew increasingly upset (when) Kelsey would not approve thalidomide. By 1960 it was marketed in over 40 countries. They tried various means to pressure Dr. Kelsey to approve the drug, including personal attacks.In November 1961, physicians in Germany and Australia reported birth defects in infants whose mothers had taken thalidomide during early pregnancy. In embryos, thalidomide could cause critical damage to organ development—just one pill could result in infant deformities. Many doctors prescribed thalidomide for morning sickness. Thus, 10,000 infants all over the world were ultimately adversely affected, and countless others died in utero.Kelsey prevented multiple thousands of congenital birth defects and deaths by not approving thalidomide. This resulted in a 1962 law requiring new drugs had to be proven safe and effective, and full disclosure of adverse effects.Marijuana has not been proven safe or effective, and in fact has been proved harmful. Plant material provides neither a standardized dose nor one free of toxic pesticides or other contaminants. A 2005 U.S. Supreme Court case struck down California’s law for medical use. Justice Stephen Breyer noted drugs should be approved by regulation, not referendum. Many researched drugs are from plants, but their ingredients were synthesized, purified, and standardized doses, which were also proved safe and effective.Vote No on all three initiatives. Be a modern day Dr. Kelsey.Edward MosesWarrenton