Pubdate: Mon, 22 Dec 2014
Source: Times-Tribune, The (Scranton PA)
Copyright: 2014 Townnews.com
Contact:  http://www.thetimes-tribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4440
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n923/a08.html

MARIJUANA LIFESAVER

Editor: Regarding your Dec. 15 editorial (Our Opinion, "Authorize 
Medicinal Pot"), medical marijuana has lifesaving benefits that 
extend beyond patient relief.

New research published in the Journal of the American Medical 
Association shows that states with access to medical marijuana have a 
25 percent lower opioid overdose death rate than states where 
marijuana is prohibited.

This research finding has huge implications for states like 
Pennsylvania that grapple with prescription narcotic and heroin 
overdose deaths.

The substitution effect was documented by California physicians long 
before the recent JAMA research. Legal marijuana access is correlated 
with a reduction in opioid and alcohol abuse. The marijuana plant is 
incapable of causing an overdose death. Not even aspirin can make the 
same claim, much less alcohol or prescription narcotics.

The phrase "if it saves one life" has been used to justify all manner 
of drug war abuses.

Legal marijuana access has the potential to save thousands of lives.

ROBERT SHARPE POLICY ANALYST, COMMON SENSE FOR DRUG POLICY, WASHINGTON, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom