Pubdate: Fri, 25 May 2012
Source: Minot Daily News (ND)
Copyright: 2012 Minot Daily News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/17rJeGrw
Website: http://www.minotdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2888

MEDICAL MARIJUANA? NOT IN N.D.

North Dakota does not need to become the next state to allow the use 
of marijuana for medical reasons.

An initiative petition is under review by Secretary of State Al 
Jaeger. If the petition is approved, supporters would soon begin 
gathering signatures to get the issue on the ballot. If the proposal 
gets that far, we urge North Dakota voters to reject the idea.

Under the proposal, someone with a "debilitating medical condition" 
may grow and use marijuana, and possess up to 2 ounces of the drug, 
providing they have a doctor's recommendation. Marijuana would be 
sold at licensed dispensaries. Some of the "debilitating medical 
conditions" include cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder.

We don't necessarily doubt that some patients find some measure of 
relief from the use of medical marijuana, but that's not enough good 
enough reason to adopt the change. What concerns us is the 
possibility of fraud, creating unnecessary users of medical marijuana.

In 2004, Montana voters approved the use of medical marijuana. The 
number of users and dispensaries remained relatively low until the 
Obama administration announced last year it would not prosecute 
medical marijuana users and providers in states where it was legal. 
The number of medical marijuana cardholders soared, as did the number 
of dispensaries.

And remember this: The federal government won't allow North Dakota 
farmers to grow hemp, a cousin of marijuana used in clothing and 
other items that has little THC, the psychoactive substance in 
marijuana. But that government won't prosecute users of medical marijuana.

North Dakota does not need the problems associated with medical 
marijuana. We have more important things to do. We hope this 
initiative never makes it to the ballot.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom