Pubdate: Sun, 06 Apr 2014
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2014 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Note: Rarely prints out-of-state LTEs.
Author: Douglas MacKinnon
Note: Guest columnist Douglas MacKinnon of Boca Raton is a former
White House and Pentagon official.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA ON THE BALLOT FRAUGHT WITH DANGER

In1939, Frank Capra made one of the most entertaining, important and
enduring political movies of all time titled "Mr. Smith Goes to
Washington" starring James Stewart and Jean Arthur.

An essential part of the plot involved an immensely powerful and
corrupt businessman by the name of "Jim Taylor" from Mr. Smith's
fictional home state. "The Taylor Machine" in the movie continually
manipulated a politician it had bought and paid for years earlier.
Sadly, 75 years after the film premiered, many hard-working and honest
Americans look at our nation's capital and even the state of Florida
and understandably wonder if much has really changed.

Be it Washington, D.C., or Tallahassee, many times when the pushing of
an issue just doesn't seem to pass the common-sense or smell test,
then the political axiom "follow the money" usually kicks in. Which
politicians are supporting it? What is their rationale? Who pays the
bills? Who is contributing to their campaigns? What connections do
these contributors have to the issue?

Being a fairly new resident of Florida, I don't pretend to know all
the players or who might be supporting them from the shadows or even
pulling their strings. That said, be it Florida, New York, California
or elsewhere, it's never really a shock to any voters when they come
to realize that certain politicians are indebted to certain
benefactors who are seeking certain desired legislative outcomes. Now,
while much of this behavior may be "legal," it is often less than
transparent or ethical.

As a resident of a state I proudly chose to live in, I was greatly
bothered to learn that an amendment to legalize "medical marijuana"
will be on the November ballot as a result of a very well-funded
petition drive. Really? Does nobody else see the multiple flaws and
outright dangers associated with such an amendment? Does anyone else
not recognize the fact that "medical marijuana" is a fantasy created
for profit?

Anyone who truly believes this amendment is being pushed for
altruistic "medical" reasons may also be open to buying a certain
bridge between New Jersey and New York.

I have often said that human nature dictates that most people embrace
the truth right up until the moment it reflects poorly upon themselves
or their cause. That said, here are some facts that reflect poorly on
the rush to legalize what federal laws define as a "Schedule 1"
illegal narcotic:

For anyone whose mind is not already clouded, it will come as no
surprise to know that in the states where "medical marijuana" has been
permitted, the largest users are males between the ages of 18 and 34.
The most common reasons given as to why they need it being "stress,"
"insomnia" and "pain."

In Colorado for instance, 94 percent of users cited "pain" as the
reason needed, 13 percent cited "muscle spasms" and 3 percent cited
reasons associated with cancer, according to the Colorado Department
of Health.

If the amendment is passed, "medical marijuana" could be available in
candy, cookies, soda, brownies, mints, and a host of other "food"
products making it potentially undetectable and tempting to children.
Tragically, a teenager in Colorado reportedly fell off a balcony this
month after eating marijuana cookies.

The active ingredients in marijuana often cited as needed to relieve
nausea have been available in pill form for over 28 years.

Smoked "medical marijuana" is opposed by law-enforcement agencies, the
American Medical Association, the National Cancer Institute, the
American Cancer Society, and a number of medical institutions.

If the media and the voters take the time to examine the aggressive
campaign behind this amendment, they will realize it is easily
discredited. So, what then is the real reason for pushing this issue?

Could it simply be all about galvanizing the youth vote? And if so,
which politician might have the most to gain should they flock to the
ballot box in November?

Interestingly, if we look at states that did not have "medical
marijuana" amendment on the ballot in 2012, there was virtually no
change in the youth vote turnout. However, in the three states that
did have medical marijuana amendments on the ballot, the youth vote
increased some 63 percent. Bingo. Should this amendment pass,
employers, parents, children, law-enforcement officers, hospitals and
most of us will pay a severe price so a select few can profit greatly.

Hopefully, there is not a "Taylor Machine" operating in the state
pushing for that destructive outcome.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D