Pubdate: Mon, 27 Jun 2005
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2005 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Author: William M Bennett
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

MEDICINAL POT IS A RUSE

The Marijuana Policy Project, a pro-legalization group financially supported
by billionaire George Soros, is threatening to use its substantial financial
backing to sue states that abide by the recent Supreme Court decision and
suspend their illegal medical marijuana programs. No state had approved the
prescription of marijuana but rather had allowed individuals to use
marijuana if they had a recommendation from a doctor.

Even the prestigious Institute of Medicine after exhaustive review concluded
that smoking was not a viable delivery system for pot even if it was proven
safe and effective by acceptable scientific evidence (which has not been the
case).

Having pharmacologic properties doesn't mean that crude plant material
should be substituted for approved medications. Like marijuana, opium
poppies and coca plants contain compounds with medicinal properties. Will
the next push be for personal plots of these plants?

Several compounds found in marijuana have already been synthesized and
approved for medicinal use. The pot smoked for medicinal purposes is 10 to
20 times stronger than that smoked in the hippy era, is strongly associated
with psychosis in young users, and is now a leading cause of drug-related
emergency room episodes. Medicinal pot is a ruse to gain support for
legalization.

William M. Bennett

La Center
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MAP posted-by: Josh