Pubdate: Fri, 24 Jul 2009
Source: Des Moines Register (IA)
Copyright: 2009 The Des Moines Register.
Contact: http://DesMoinesRegister.com/help/letter.html
Website: http://desmoinesregister.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/123
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n727/a03.html
Author: Michael J. Navin

PUT LEGALIZATION OF POT TO A VOTE

Concerning the Register's story about a judge ruling that the Iowa 
Board of Pharmacy must examine whether marijuana has an accepted 
medical use ("Medical Marijuana Hearings Planned," July 22): I would 
think that there have been many studies done already that could be 
used to come to an unbiased decision.

Past studies must have supported legalizing marijuana because you 
never hear of the results. I don't understand how pharmacists could 
not help but be biased. If people could grow Lipitor on a bush, the 
pharmacy people would say it should be illegal.

My guess is that the pharmaceutical industry can see the writing on 
the wall; pot relieved my nausea (no more antacids, Pepto-Bismol), 
hey, I don't feel stressed (no more Valium), less stress equals lower 
blood pressure (throw out some more pills).

Why not dig up some studies, release the results to the public, have 
some debates and let them vote on the issue? I'm sure that by now 
it's been proven that pot is not addictive and nicotine is.

Let's make tobacco illegal instead. Oh, I forgot, the tobacco 
industry has a lot of money.

The people with illnesses such as AIDS and cancer have enough on 
their plates without having the government withholding something that 
could ease their pain.

- - Michael J. Navin, Menlo
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom