Pubdate: Mon, 10 Dec 2012
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
Copyright: 2012 Journal Sentinel Inc.
Contact: http://www.jsonline.com/general/30627794.html
Website: http://www.jsonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265
Author: Darold A. Treffert

THERE ARE GOOD REASONS TO OUTLAW MARIJUANA

There are sensible and compelling reasons why marijuana use, 
including medical marijuana, is not legal in Wisconsin ("Time for a 
blunt conversation," Crossroads, Dec. 2). We need to keep it that way 
for those same reasons.

My vantage point is as a doctor in adolescent treatment programs who 
has seen many young, and older, lives ruined by cannabis use. And I 
speak also as having been a member or chair of the Controlled 
Substances Board in Wisconsin for more than 15 years.

Marijuana is not harmless. It is a gateway drug. If you don't believe 
me, ask the parents of many sons and daughters caught up now in addiction.

Medical marijuana has been used as a foot in the door approach by the 
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws with its 
obvious agenda. To the extent cannabinoids are helpful for treatment 
of cancer chemotherapy side effects or intractable pain, THC is 
available in prescribed pill form (Marinol). Other such normally 
prescribed forms are on the way (Sativex). And at a time when we are 
discouraging tobacco use, it is ironic that marijuana is the only 
medication delivered by smoking.

Other states, such as Montana, have attempted to repeal their medical 
marijuana laws and in 2012 by ballot decided to severely curtail that 
use because of the scourge of abuse it created. Los Angeles is 
debating closing its dispensaries. In Denver, there are now more 
medical dispensaries than Starbucks.

So let's leave well enough alone, learn from the mistakes of other 
states and not repeat those errors here.

Darold A. Treffert, MD

Fond du Lac
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom