Pubdate: Sun, 11 Jul 2010 Source: Buffalo News (NY) Copyright: 2010 The Buffalo News Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/GXIzebQL Website: http://www.buffalonews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/61 Author: Megan Kunecki Note: Megan Kunecki is community educator for the Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) LEGALIZATION EFFORT FLIES IN THE FACE OF THE FACTS As we move toward the end of the budget crisis, the legalization of medical marijuana is still on the minds of many. Although approval of medical marijuana in the budget seems less likely these days, there is still a slight chance it can be worked in. Only about 30 percent of the budget is left to be passed and so far it seems as though medical marijuana will be left out. However, the battle isn't over yet. Even if medical marijuana doesn't get passed through the budget, it still may get passed as a stand-alone bill. Cannabis advocates, as well as Sen. Eric Adams and Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, are pushing for the bill to be passed on its own. Gottfried is pressing for the bill to be passed because he believes that it will actually make it more difficult for those seeking marijuana for recreational purposes to obtain the drug. Gottfried also goes on to say that if the bill did get passed, it would be much stricter than those that have already been passed in the 14 other states. Gottfried also is calling for stricter punishment for those who abuse the system to score the drug. He states that those who get caught will be charged with a misdemeanor, whereas possession under the current law is "similar to that of a parking ticket." Although many believe legalizing medical marijuana will lead to improved well-being of patients and fewer social drug problems, much evidence proves otherwise. Major medical groups such as the American Medical Association, the Institute for Medicine and the American Academy of Family Practice agree that medical marijuana needs to be clinically researched much more extensively before becoming available to the public. Many social problems would ensue if medical marijuana became legal. High-risk populations will certainly be at a disadvantage. "If kids see marijuana as a medicine, they're apt to dismiss its harms. If we make it acceptable in society to smoke dope, our children are more inclined to do that," said Scott Burns of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Marijuana is also proven to be a gateway drug, a drug that leads users to harder and more addicting substances. A study done by the Journal of the American Medical Association found that "individuals who used cannabis by age 17 years had odds of other drug use, alcohol dependence, and drug abuse/dependence that were 2.1 to 5.2 times higher than those of their co-twin, who did not use cannabis before age 17 years. . . . " Do we really want our children to get marijuana handouts from their doctors -- those who are supposed to be preventing medical problems, not creating them? For more information on this topic contact the Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse at or 716-831-9580. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom