Pubdate: Sun, 03 Oct 2004
Source: Montana Standard (MT)
Copyright: 2004 Montana Standard
Contact:  http://www.mtstandard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/609
Author: Paul Befumo
Cited: Initiative 148 http://www.montanacares.org/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)

MARIJUANA IS MEDICINE

I respectfully disagree with David Henrich's conclusions regarding studies 
of teen use of marijuana in California. The National Household Survey on 
Drug Abuse didn't break down results by state until 1999, so it does not 
show anything about the trend of marijuana use in California before and 
after Prop. 215 was passed in 1996.

Also, NHSDA/NSDUH has problems of its own, not the least of which is the 
fact that participants must discuss illegal behavior in a face-to-face 
interview with a representative of the government who comes to their home. 
The California Attorney General's survey is anonymous. Which do you think 
is more likely to reflect what teens are actually doing?

More importantly, Mr. Heinrich's claim that "marijuana isn't medicine" 
simply isn't supported by the facts. Good medicine is anything that treats 
the causes or symptoms of a disease, and whose side effects do not outweigh 
its benefits.

By any of the standards we use to evaluate drugs on the market today, 
marijuana qualifies as good medicine. Even the federal government, which 
delivers tins full of marijuana cigarettes to a handful of sick patients on 
a monthly basis, appears to accept the fact that marijuana is medicine, at 
least for those individuals.

Yes, there are other drugs on the market that treat some of the same 
symptoms as medical marijuana. But, not every drug works for every 
individual. Just because one drug works, doesn't mean we pull all the rest 
off the market.

Take the time to get the facts. Check out some of the many scientific 
studies that substantiate the current use and future promise of medical 
marijuana. Then trust decisions about which medical treatment is best to 
doctors and their patients, and not to the government, by voting yes on I-148.

Paul Befumo
Medical Marijuana Policy Project of Montana
2120 S. Reserve Street, #235
Missoula 
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