Pubdate: Mon, 19 Apr 2010
Source: Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, SD)
Copyright: 2010 Argus Leader
Contact:  http://www.argusleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/842
Author: Darcy Jensen
Note: Darcy Jensen of Sioux Falls is director of Prairie View 
Prevention Services.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)

TODAY'S DEBATE: LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA (CON BY DARCY JENSEN)

Proposal Packed With Unintended Consequences

This question will be one each South Dakota resident will need to 
answer in the fall election. I believe to make a sound decision it is 
important to analyze the issue by gathering facts, looking at the 
outcome for states that already have legalized marijuana, and 
determine the impact of this decision on your personal life, 
business, community and state.

If medical marijuana use is legal, how do you regulate legal use and 
what about the cost incurred? Looking at three states that have 
medical marijuana might provide some answers.

In Oregon, 20,000 citizens are part of the medical marijuana program 
but only 8 percent are using marijuana for serious pain or medical 
issues such as cancer, glaucoma or HIV/AIDS. This same trend holds 
true when looking at Colorado and San Diego, which have 5 percent and 
2 percent, respectfully.

More than 90 percent of cardholders report using the marijuana for 
simple aches and pains. Children younger than 18 can be medical 
marijuana cardholders with parental permission. This presents a 
challenge to our schools across the state. How can we have a 
drug-free school zone and have students attending school under the 
influence or teachers teaching under the influence? There is no way 
to regulate dosage or even know whether the marijuana was bought legally.

Oregon is trying to create guidelines to address both illegal and 
legal marijuana use on school campuses. Is that what we want?

As a substance abuse and prevention counselor, I believe this sends a 
confusing message to our youth. We have provided prevention education 
to help our youth remain drug free. How do we explain that when 
someone is holding a card, marijuana use suddenly is acceptable and 
safe? I am not comfortable with the thought of my grandchildren 
riding in a bus driven by a cardholder.

Schools are not the only place where unintended consequences for 
legalizing marijuana are found. One of the largest construction 
companies in Oregon found it has no legal protection from financial 
liabilities associated with property damage, equipment loss, injury 
or death when the worker is part of the medical marijuana program. Do 
you think South Dakota businesses and employers are willing to accept 
these risks?

There is a safe alternative to smoking marijuana.  Smoking is a poor 
way to deliver medication, and there are no other FDA-approved 
medications that are administered by smoking. Medical marijuana 
already exists. It is Marinol, a synthetic pill form of marijuana.

So when the supporters start their campaign asking for your support 
to help the extremely ill and keep honest marijuana users out of 
prison, remember the facts.  There already is synthetic medical marijuana.

In South Dakota prisons, a small percentage of the population is 
serving time for marijuana possession, and of those few, most had 
more than 10 pounds of marijuana in their possession at the time of 
their arrest, which clearly is not for personal use.

So as a lifelong South Dakota resident, mother, grandmother, business 
owner and addiction professional, I know my answer on Election Day: No.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake