Pubdate: Sun, 03 Jan 2016 Source: Denver Post (CO) Copyright: 2016 The Denver Post Corp Contact: http://www.denverpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122 Author: Cathy Donohue Re: "Cannabis in Colorado; Two years after legalization," Dec. 27-30 news series. DRAWING CONCLUSIONS (OR NOT) ON COLO. POT LEGALIZATION As I read the articles in your "Cannabis in Colorado" series, I became aware that little research has been completed by people who are supposed to be experts. Asked whether marijuana legalization has been worth it, Professor Mark A.R. Kleiman of New York University told interviewers to "come back in 10 years," preceded by a "droll chuckle." Dr. Larry Wolk, head of Colorado's public health department, stated: "There is really no significant data yet to demonstrate that there is increased use among adults or teens." And our good governor stops short of saying whether legalization, overall, is positive or negative. As I have suggested to others who say we don't have enough data: "Buy a plane ticket to Israel." Israel, after more than 50 years of research, legalized medical marijuana seven years ago. Doctors who prescribe marijuana for patients of any age are a part of Israel's national health system and work side-by-side with all other physicians in the system. Why is it that Americans who are researching this old remedy seem to think they have to perform new research? All of the Americans who profess to be "researchers" should spend a few weeks in Israel, learning what they found out after 50 years of study that prompted them to place cannabis physicians into their public health system. After all, we give them millions, maybe even billions of dollars for defense; they surely would allow Americans to learn from their research, as they know the meaning of the word "reciprocity." Cathy Donohue Denver - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom