Pubdate: Sat, 09 Apr 2016
Source: Modesto Bee, The (CA)
Copyright: 2016 The Modesto Bee
Contact:  http://www.modbee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/271

DEA MUST FACE REALITY, TAKE MARIJUANA OFF 'WORST NARCOTIC' LIST

We Don't Believe All the Claims of Cannabis Devotees

For Thousands, It Relieves Pain, Improves Appetite and Helps Them See

Marijuana Shouldn't Be on Drug Enforcement Administration's 'Schedule 1'

Some people want us to believe cannabis is a wonder weed, miracle 
cure and our industrial salvation. Such hyperbole echoes the 
charlatans who have been selling cures and magic beans for centuries. 
But don't let that discount what hundreds of people in our community, 
thousands across our region and tens of thousands in our state have 
been saying for years: Cannabis helps them.

Without it, many suffer chronic pain, sleepless nights, loss of 
appetite and weakened eyes. For years, they've relied on people 
working under the radar to create the plants and products that help them cope.

Such work shouldn't be hindered; in fact, those developing cannabis 
cures should be better funded, better regulated and encouraged. After 
all, medicinal marijuana has been legal in California for 20 years. 
Yet, since legalization in 1996 many thousands have been skirting the 
laws - claiming illness just so they can buy enough weed to get high. 
We don't approve of such subterfuge, but in most areas - including 
San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties - this abuse is tolerated 
or ignored.

Last month, some 300 people joined us at the Gallo Center to begin 
our conversation about legalizing recreational marijuana. That 
conversation will grow louder as the different groups who want to 
dictate its terms bring their measures to the November ballot.

Meanwhile, recreational marijuana is already legal in four states - 
flying in the face of federal regulations that continue to list 
marijuana as a Schedule 1 narcotic. It is a ridiculous and 
destructive fiction to equate marijuana to heroin. The Drug 
Enforcement Administration seems to recognize that, easing 
cannabidiol research rules in December. But with marijuana remaining 
on Schedule 1, doing clinical research is extremely difficult. While 
the rest of the world proceeds in unlocking cannabis' potential, 
America's medical community remains locked out.

Even cannabis high in THC - the stuff that gets you high - has been 
shown to have medicinal value. In Spain, high-TCH weed reduced or 
eliminated brain tumors in rats; human trials are underway. That 
information came from National Geographic, not the hazy dreams of a 
deluded pothead.

Finally, the DEA is reconsidering its classification and expects to 
make a decision by July. After 45 years of failing to convince almost 
anyone that marijuana is a deadly scourge, it's time to face reality. 
Marijuana has dangers, but they are certainly no worse than those 
represented by alcohol or commonly abused prescription drugs (on Schedule 4).

The Public Policy Institute of California - one of the state's 
premier think tanks - has recommended California adopt a controlled 
and regulated single market for all marijuana, recreational and 
medicinal. The PPIC says that's the best way to reconcile often 
conflicting policy goals such as allowing recreational use without 
promoting it, ensuring quality, destroying the black market and 
raising state revenue.

Listing marijuana as a "most dangerous" narcotic hasn't stopped 23 
states from legalizing medicinal use and four states from approving 
recreational use. All it has done is force those who want to study 
it, verifying or debunking claims of miracle cures, to do their 
research in basements and backrooms. And those who profit from hyping 
the wonders of weed? They're free to sell their magic beans.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom