Pubdate: Sun, 24 Oct 2010 Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ) Copyright: 2010 East Valley Tribune. Contact: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/opinion/submit_a_letter/ Website: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2708 Cited: Proposition 203 http://stoparrestingpatients.org/ Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?273 (Proposition 203) PROP 203: MEDICAL MARIJUANA (NO) This is the only citizen-backed initiative on the ballot. And while we're not insensitive to the needs of the chronically ill (although there are some questions as to the validity of marijuana as a medicine), the negatives of this measure are far too great. Look at states like Colorado, Montana and California, where medical marijuana laws are widely abused (essentially legalizing the drug) and crime has risen sharply around centers that distribute the drug. Marijuana also is considered a "gateway" to more serious drugs. This proposition is bad medicine. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake