Pubdate: Mon, 09 May 2011 Source: State Journal-Register (IL) Copyright: 2011 The State Journal-Register Contact: http://service.sj-r.com/forms/letters.asp Website: http://www.sj-r.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/425 Author: Kirk W. Boyenga NO TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA Journalism? Nowhere does your recent medical marijuana article address on what authority the legislature assumes the expertise to practice medicine and also to usurp the role of the FDA in approving medical interventions. There is no valid study yet that marijuana has medicinal value in its current form. Why is that being ignored? The article reports about a person helped by marijuana, yet how many thousands of people have been helped by untested interventions, including the quackery of the old-time medicine show? Coca-Cola once had cocaine in it. I'm sure there were plenty of testimonials for its medicinal value. The presence of testimonials does not mean the legislature should jump in and make a substance legal. How could the newspaper print a statement like, "The measure is designed so that the system would cost taxpayers nothing," without grilling Rep. Lou Lang on the ridiculous nature of such an assertion? The article also asserts that the Illinois State Police are now in support. Who at the ISP made that statement? Are they willing to stake their jobs on such an endorsement? Are they going to be the ones to enforce this unenforceable law? The legislation also purports to be safer by requiring a six-hour wait before driving. How many drug users really care whether they are able to drive safely? What about the research that cannabis effects can last far longer than six hours? Also not discussed in the article is why there are other states now debating the reversal of their medical marijuana laws. Would that not be important to know? Having had direct and indirect involvement in treating addictions for more than 30 years, I assure you that governmental endorsement of this substance will cost far more than any proposed benefit. Is a state that is already broke ready to assume an even greater financial obligation? Kirk W. Boyenga Springfield - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.