Pubdate: Sun, 14 Feb 2016 Source: Sacramento Bee (CA) Copyright: 2016 The Sacramento Bee Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/0n4cG7L1 Website: http://www.sacbee.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376 Author: Ronald M. Becker Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n074/a05.html SHAME ON CMA FOR POT ENDORSEMENT Re "Doctors dance with a toasty partner" (Forum, Dan Morain, Feb. 7): As a cardiothoracic surgeon, I have seen my share of smoking-related illness, and it is unseemly to say the least for the California Medical Association to support or tacitly approve of smoking in any form. The pulmonary injuries from marijuana smoking are unlikely to differ from those seen in cigarette smoking, and I have seen lifetime non-(cigarette) smokers who were incredulous and chagrined that their marijuana indulgences might have induced their lung cancers. "We should allow it because we can tax it" is a poor argument for legalization, and the notion that we will then use the money to underwrite anti-smoking programs is ludicrous. One does not expect better from an opportunistic, self-serving politician like Gavin Newsom, but the CMA has brought shame upon itself with this thoughtless endorsement. Dr. Ronald M. Becker, Sacramento - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom