Pubdate: Fri, 18 Oct 2013
Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR)
Copyright: 2013 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc.
Contact: http://www2.arkansasonline.com/contact/voicesform/
Website: http://www2.arkansasonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/25
Note: Accepts letters to the editor from Arkansas residents only
Author: Denele Campbell
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n493/a05.html

MAYBE A DIFFERENT SPELLING

Barely had approval been announced for the second medical-marijuana 
petition when the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's editorial column pulled 
out its tired bag of factoids in opposition to any such measure. 
Under the outdated exhortation to "just say no," I believe the 
editorial reveals an abysmal knowledge deficit about this natural herb.

Despite stacks of evidence to the contrary, it says anyone in need of 
pain relief should get that relief from a pharmacist. Many patients 
using "legal" medications suffer disabling side effects. Most legal 
pain meds are extremely addictive; for those with long-term pain 
issues, marijuana is a safe, effective alternative.

The editorial laments that no one has explained how to keep legal 
marijuana out of kids' hands. Gee whiz, wouldn't that work the same 
way we keep all other meds out of their hands?

The editorial speculates that medical marijuana is the gateway to 
recreational use. By that logic, we should make Oxycontin illegal 
because, next thing you know, they'll be selling it in vending 
machines. But, while we're on the subject, perhaps the writers could 
explain how Prohibition worked so great with alcohol, and how well 
it's working for marijuana.

The editorial drags out the old tired fable about marijuana being 
addictive. Well, it's not. If you want to brandish psychological 
addiction to marijuana, which a few users experience, you'd best 
acknowledge that everything from potato chips to television to 
jogging can also be psychologically addictive.

I suggest the editorial writers busy themselves with a different 
spelling, and just say "know."

DENELE CAMPBELL

West Fork
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom