Pubdate: Thu, 10 Mar 2011
Source: Fort Collins Coloradoan (CO)
Copyright: 2011 John Allen
Contact: http://www.coloradoan.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.coloradoan.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1580
Author: John Allen
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n148/a11.html

MEDICAL MARIJUANA CLAIMS INCORRECT

In a recent Soapbox (March 3), Dawn Nannini made several groundless 
and totally unsubstantiated assertions concerning the supposed harm 
that is inflicted upon our community by the presence of medical 
marijuana, or MMJ, dispensaries. Nannini claimed that marijuana use 
among local youth has increased and that these youth have the 
perception that marijuana is not harmful due to legalization of MMJ 
dispensaries. She provided absolutely no evidence in support of these 
assertions.

Nannini stated in her letter: "The very term 'medical' lends the 
perception that this is a substance with healing properties when in 
fact the evidence for such is negligible." If Nannini took the time 
to do a little research, she would find that there is quite a lot of 
evidence in the scientific literature clearly indicating that 
marijuana is useful in treating a wide variety of illnesses.

She also stated: "... our city has endorsed medical marijuana 
dispensaries sends a clear message to our youth about the 
not-so-harmful effects of marijuana." While it is true that marijuana 
is not a particularly harmful substance, legalization of MMJ 
dispensaries sends no such message.

She concluded her letter: "None of our neighboring communities is 
allowing this. Why are we?" This is an absurd argument. The citizens 
of Fort Collins have the right and the obligation to make their own 
decisions about the legal status of MMJ dispensaries.

We have laws that provide severe penalties for selling marijuana to 
minors. These laws should be vigorously enforced rather than 
abridging the rights of MMJ patients.

John Allen,

Fort Collins
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom