Pubdate: Tue, 31 May 2005
Source: New York Daily News (NY)
Copyright: 2005 Daily News, L.P.
Contact:  http://www.nydailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/295
Author: Calvina L. Fay
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN NEW YORK? NO.

Drug Fighter Predicts Crime Wave

As parents today struggle to keep their children drug free, they need to 
arm themselves with the facts about the dangers of marijuana and be aware 
of the deceptive campaigns that attempt to legitimize this illicit 
substance. Recently, New York lawmakers introduced two bills in the state's 
Senate and Assembly. These bills would legalize the possession, 
manufacture, sale, administration, delivery, dispensing and distribution of 
marijuana in connection with so-called medical use. Efforts such as these 
have contributed to the increased use of marijuana and other drugs by young 
people.

In 1996, California voters approved the use of marijuana for 
pseudo-medicinal purposes. Since that time 10 other states have approved 
its use for this purpose, and 33 more states have proposed similar 
legislation. As a result, between 1999 and 2001, marijuana use by juveniles 
increased 3.2% nationwide. This national average is far exceeded in most 
states that have legalized marijuana as a so-called medicine.

California and Colorado had a spike double the national rate, while Hawaii 
had quadruple the rate and Maine experienced a 54.4% increase. In addition, 
between 1992 and 2001 there was a 49% increase in adolescent admissions to 
treatment programs. Of these, marijuana admissions rose to 62% from 23%.

According to the FDA and every major medical association in the United 
States, there are no proven benefits to marijuana use for medical purposes. 
In areas where medical marijuana is legal, people are already toking up 
under the guise of treating other "serious maladies" such as premenstrual 
syndrome, athlete's foot and ingrown toenails. The reality is that most 
people with fatal diseases are not smoking pot to treat them - they are 
under the care of legitimate doctors and are receiving valid medicines to 
treat their ailments.

If New York makes an exception for the people who claim marijuana is a 
medicine, it will open the door to widespread marijuana use and fraudulent 
claims of illness for all drug users. It will have devastating effects for 
millions of families struggling to raise drug-free children and for those 
battling addiction.

- ---------------------

Fay is executive director of the Drug Free America Foundation, an 
organization dedicated to fighting drug use and promoting effective drug 
policies.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth