Pubdate: Tue, 19 Oct 2010
Source: Vail Daily (CO)
Copyright: 2010 Vail Daily
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/wo3Ts7AI
Website: http://www.vaildaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3233
Author: John Michaelson
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n831/a03.html

MARIJUANA REBUTTAL

I've read Mr. Sims' letters to the editor, and realize that he 
obviously has no idea what he is talking about. Voting "no" on 1B, 
would be saying "yes to the black market." Whereas medical marijuana 
centers are strictly regulated by the state to offer medical 
marijuana to patients over 21, street dealers are pushing drugs such 
as cocaine, oxycontin, heroin, and speed to our children. These drugs 
are not offered to patients at a medical marijuana center.

As far as children getting their hands on a medical marijuana 
patient's medicine, I believe that is the parents' responsibility. No 
medicine should be accessible to children, marijuana or prescription drugs.

With this in mind, which drugs are more dangerous in the hands of 
children, amphetamines (speed), pain killers (opiates), 
antidepressants (psychotropic drugs) or marijuana? One can die of an 
overdose on just about any prescription drug, while this is not the 
case with marijuana. Nevertheless, the National Institute of Drug 
Abuse lists prescription narcotics and benzodiazepines as our 
nation's drug epidemic.

Oh, and by the way, did you know that the Veterans Administration 
will now allow us veterans with medical marijuana cards to resume 
care at our hospitals? We in Eagle County are not voting to legalize 
marijuana as Mr. Sims would lead the public to believe by quoting 
President Obama, but to allow medical marijuana centers to continue 
to operate in our county as they have for over a year without 
incident, according to our sheriff, Joseph Hoy. The fact is that 
medical marijuana centers are strictly regulated by the state and are 
the perfect place for these patients to safely access their medicine.

John Michaelson

Edwards, CO Colorado
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