Pubdate: Thu, 10 Apr 2014
Source: Patriot-News, The (PA)
Copyright: 2014 The Patriot-News
Contact: http://www.pennlive.com/mailforms/patriotletters/
Website: http://www.pennlive.com/patriotnews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1630
Author: Marcia Brunelli

SENS. FOLMER, LEACH ARE WRONG; DON'T LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The "Compassionate Use Of Medical Cannabis Act" sponsored by Sen. 
Mike Folmer and Sen. Daylin Leach is being promoted to help children 
with debilitating diseases. The non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) 
that is being marketed for kids is not without risks. The National 
Institute of Health reported that CBD stores in the liver and causes 
sterility problems.

The senators' proposal will allow medical cannabis farmers who are 
cannabis patients to keep up to 25 percent of their crop. Marijuana 
will be permitted for smoking and vaporization purposes in public 
places. Because physicians and patients will be given immunity, 
written certifications may be given to persons with substance abuse 
problems through legal loopholes like "debilitating medical 
conditions" and "severe and chronic pain."

The mandate will cost taxpayers millions from bureaucracy and other 
aspects of the bill. Recently, Pennsylvania's Secretary of the 
Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Gary Tennis, said that "in 
most states where marijuana has been legalized, it's served as a 
'Trojan Horse' for recreational use." By legalizing marijuana in 
Pennsylvania we will transform the war on drugs into a "war on our 
society." Marijuana is not medicine but a dangerous drug.

MARCIA BRUNELLI, Upper Darby Twp., Delaware Co.
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