Pubdate: Sat, 09 Aug 2014
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2014 The Tribune Co.
Contact: http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-letters/submit/
Website: http://tbo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446
Author: Calvina Fay
Webpage: n/a
Page: 16A
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n644/a06.html

TRIAL LAWYERS OR PHYSICIANS?

Regarding "Doctors' group: Medical pot risky" (Metro, Aug. 6): The
Florida Medical Association (FMA) is to be commended for taking a
stand against Amendment 2. It joins many national medical associations
that have continued to oppose raw, smokable marijuana as medicine.

These organizations include, but are not limited to, the American
Medical Association, the American Cancer Society, the American Academy
of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association. The FMA
recognizes that there are safer and superior options available when it
comes to cannabinoid-based medications. We already have THC, the
psychoA-active ingredient in marijuana, as an FDA-approved medication
that can be prescribed to patients.

We also have CBD available, which is a non-psycho-active ingredient in
marijuana believed to help severe seizures. Additional formulations
are under development according to FDA standards.

Legalizing marijuana, which has now been grown to contain in excess of
20 percent THC and has been strongly linked to extreme psychotic
behaviors and other detriments to health, is clearly not necessary and
certainly not safe for Floridians, especially for truly sick people.
Amendment 2 is not about medicine.

It will open the flood-gates to widespread abuse of the drug. The FMA
rightfully labels it a public health risk. Other states that have
legalized marijuana under the guise of medicine have overwhelmingly
experienced the drug being fraudulently obtained for recreational
purposes. Amendment 2 was written by lawyers, not doctors.

It is a scam that takes advantage of our natural inclination to want
to help sick and dying people. It is about the legalization of a "Big
Marijuana" industry, not about medicine.

Bottom line: Who is more credible when it comes to determining
medicine: trial lawyers or physicians?

Calvina Fay,
St. Petersburg

The writer is executive director of the Drug Free America Foundation.
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MAP posted-by: Matt