Pubdate: Wed, 07 Dec 2011
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
Copyright: 2011 Journal Sentinel Inc.
Contact: http://www.jsonline.com/general/30627794.html
Website: http://www.jsonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265
Author: Charles Wood

Medical Marijuana

NOT A GOOD CHOICE FOR THOSE IN PAIN

The Journal Sentinel Editorial Board feels that medical marijuana for 
the sick and suffering is a no-brainer (On, Wisconsin, Dec. 3). 
Perhaps the board should PolitiFact itself.

Marijuana is an analgesic, just like alcohol - consume enough and you 
are numbed; numbing is not specific to what ails you. Because of 
this, marijuana is not a good choice for a painkiller. If someone is 
truly sick and suffering, let's get them access to Food and Drug 
Adminstration-approved medications, where we understand effects and 
dosage amounts and know the drugs are manufactured in a clean, safe 
environment.

The Department of Health and Human Services recently evaluated 
marijuana as a medicine and made the following findings: 1) Marijuana 
has a high potential for abuse; 2) Marijuana has no currently 
accepted medical use in the United States; and 3) Marijuana lacks 
accepted safety for use under medical supervision.

Additionally, we have the luxury in Wisconsin to review what has 
occurred in states with medical marijuana: 18- to 25-year-old 
(healthy) males being main consumers, pot shops lowering property 
values, revenues (taxes) being eaten up by the higher cost of 
regulation and treatment.

No one wants to see the ill suffer, but medical marijuana is just a 
sham to advance the legalization of pot. State Rep. Mark Pocan and 
state Sen. Jon Erpenbach have heard these facts in testimony; it 
would be refreshing for them to stop taking advantage of the ill to 
attempt to further their own agenda.

Charles Wood

Past President, Wisconsin Narcotics Officers Association

Co-Chair, Waukesha County Drug Free Communities

Waukesha
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom