Pubdate: Sun, 25 Mar 2007
Source: Times Recorder (Zanesville, OH)
Copyright: 2007 Times Recorder
Contact: 
http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=CUSTOMERSERVICE20
Website: http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2740
Author: Bill O'Reilly
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

HIGH ON COMPASSION

It seemed like a good idea at the time, the  Compassionate Use Act of
1996, which allowed  Californians to use marijuana with a doctor's
permission to alleviate pain. The act was put on the  ballot, and
California voters passed it 56 to 44  percent.

The biggest bankroller of the referendum was George  Soros, the
secular-progressive billionaire who  champions drug legalization. He
pumped about $350,000  into pro-medpot ads, according to published
reports.

Since the act was passed into law, thousands of pot  "clinics" have
opened across the Golden State. In San  Francisco, things got so out
of control that Mayor  Gavin Newsom, a very liberal guy, had to close
many of  the "clinics" because drug addicts were clustering  around
them, causing fear among city residents. In San  Diego, there's
another problem. Some high school kids  have found a loophole in the
Compassion Act.  Incredibly, there is no age requirement to secure
medical marijuana in California and no physical  examination needed
either. So some kids tell a doctor  they have a headache, pay him $150
for a card, and then  buy all the pot they want. Unbelievable, but
true.

Catherine Martin, a school official in San Diego,  actually sent
letters to parents in the Grossmont Union  School District warning
that some students are getting  the medical marijuana cards and then
selling them to  other students. The result: an increasing number of
kids arriving at school stoned. Ms. Martin warned  parents to
supervise their children.

San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis told me that  some
"clinics" are even marketing medical marijuana  under names like
"Reefer's Peanut Butter Cup," and  "Baby Jane." Cheech and Chong would
be proud.

Now, I'm sure George Soros doesn't give a hoot about  this, but the
unintended consequence of  non-prescription medical marijuana
legalization is that  some kids are making an industry out of it.
Sure, pot  is available illegally in most places, but now children
have a legal option. Why work at Burger King when you  can sell pot
cards?

Of course, there is nothing "compassionate" about kids  being
intoxicated. It changes them forever. Once a  child alters himself
with chemicals, childhood  vanishes. A national study by the Center on
Addiction  and Substance Abuse says more teenagers are in rehab  for
marijuana than any other intoxicant, including  alcohol.

Society needs to rethink its strategy on intoxicants in  general. If
marijuana can help those suffering with  debilitating diseases, then
doctors should have the  power to prescribe it and licensed pharmacies
should  carry it.

But storefront "clinics" run by irresponsible adults  who are aided by
corrupt doctors are a joke only a  confirmed stoner would find funny.

Bottom line: Be careful what you vote for. Compassion  can easily turn
into chaos.