Pubdate: Sun, 27 Jun 2010
Source: News-Press (Fort Myers, FL)
Copyright: 2010 The News-Press
Contact:  http://www.news-press.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1133
Author: Calvina Fay

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Policymakers and citizens should be dubious about "medical" 
marijuana. As a drug policy expert and Florida resident, I recommend 
breaking down the issue into the science, patients, distribution and 
the propaganda to identify unintended consequences.

Scientific research doesn't support smoked marijuana as a medicine 
that could be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Some 
components of marijuana have shown medicinal benefit and are 
available in an FDA-approved pill.

Most ill people go to legitimate doctors and take legitimate 
medications. In cities where this issue has been examined, only 2 
percent of those smoking marijuana as "medicine" have serious 
conditions such as AIDS, glaucoma or cancer. However, 98 percent are 
"treating" back and neck pain, anxiety, muscle spasms, insomnia, 
headaches and other insignificant conditions.  More troubling is that 
12 percent of the users are under 21.

Medi-pot is distributed at "pay-by-cash" dispensaries that sell toxic 
weeds, not pharmacies. These pot shops are magnets for crime, which 
drive out surrounding legitimate businesses.

The propaganda surrounding this entire issue seriously jeopardizes 
consumer protection. Determining medicine by popular vote is a 
dangerous practice - not scientific methodology.

Calvina Fay

Executive Director

Drug Free America Foundation Inc.

St. Petersburg
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake