Pubdate: Thu, 24 May 2001
Source: Times Record (ME)
Copyright: 2001 Times Record Inc., ASC Inc
Contact:  http://www.timesrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/705
Author: Joseph Manhardt, Bath

POT HARDLY A WONDER DRUG

To the editor:

I can't be the only one to notice that every time The Times Record runs a 
story concerning marijuana some out-of-stater inevitably writes a carefully 
crafted letter to set the record straight. The last one was unbelievable: 
Robert Sharpe of Washington, D.C., tells us that 70 percent of Americans 
support medical marijuana. Where do these people get their statistics anyway?

Make no mistake. These groups are after one thing: the complete 
legalization of marijuana. Cut this letter out and save it; 10 years from 
now (maybe sooner) the argument will shift from medicinal marijuana to 
legalizing marijuana altogether. They'll deny it for now.

It's no secret that the push to legalize medicinal marijuana was funded 
mostly (if not entirely) from out of state. I was amazed and dismayed with 
the passage of the last referendum. I see firsthand the damage marijuana 
causes - good kids doing great in school suddenly failing and getting into 
trouble; parents buying pot instead of taking care of their children.

According to the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (where I get my 
statistics), marijuana is addictive. In 1995, 165,000 people entered drug 
treatment programs to kick their marijuana habit. Hardly a wonder drug in 
my book.

If there are medically beneficial compounds in marijuana, let scientists 
isolate and standardize dosages. Marijuana should be held to the same 
standard and testing as any other proposed drug. Currently it's a 
crapshoot; marijuana varies greatly in its THC content. It is unacceptable 
for a doctor to prescribe medication and have no idea what the dosage is, 
yet that is precisely what is happening.

These groups have done a fair job of portraying anyone against medicinal 
marijuana as heartless or insensitive. Don't buy into it; let common sense 
and not a thinly veiled agenda be your guide. Question the motives and 
statistics used in these letters. Find out where they came from and who's 
behind them. Call your congressman and senator; tell them you support the 
Supreme Court's decision. Give science and pharmaceutical companies time to 
research and test this addictive drug. Then ask yourself if you're being 
insensitive or simply rational.

Now, I wonder which state will respond to my letter.

Joseph Manhardt
Bath
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MAP posted-by: Beth