Pubdate: Wed, 15 Oct 2008
Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)
Copyright: 2008 Detroit Free Press
Contact:  http://www.freep.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125
Author: David G. Patterson, DO

TWO SIDES TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA DEBATE

As a family practitioner in a suburban practice, I have some issues
with legalizing medical marijuana.

Marijuana cigarettes are scheduled "Category 1" by the Drug
Enforcement Agency. Ecstasy, quaaludes, LSD and magic mushrooms are
also Category 1 drugs. These drugs may only be prescribed for research
purposes by physicians with a Category 1 license. Most physicians in
Michigan do not possess this license, and thus may jeopardize their
medical license by prescribing legal medical marijuana cigarettes.

I have no plans to prescribe medical marijuana until the Food and Drug
Administration proves it to be safe and effective to treat disease.

David G. Patterson, DO

Flat Rock
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake