Pubdate: Fri, 09 Jul 2010
Source: Journal Standard, The (Freeport, IL)
Copyright: 2010 GateHouse Media, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.journalstandard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3182
Author: Jim Sacia
Note: Jim Sacia is the 89th District State Representative.

JUST SAY 'NO' TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Freeport, Ill. - I tell you often, "I'm the eternal optimist. We can
fix this thing." I regret to admit that at times it gets me down.
Maybe just a minute or two, then I pick myself up, brush off my
britches and try to solve the problem.

Thirty years in law enforcement and legalizing medical marijuana in
Illinois just don't go together. I have seen too many good lives
ruined. It needs just 60 votes to pass the house. I'm told that the
supporters have more than 50.

In Illinois, the legislation to legalize medical marijuana is Senate
Bill 1381 sponsored in the house by my friend Lou Lang (D-Skokie). I
recently heard Lou on WBBM radio in Chicago referring to those of us
in opposition as being of "Neanderthal mentality." Okay Lou, I can
take the shot. I'm a Neanderthal, but I'm in good company. The bill is
opposed by Illinois Chiefs of Police, Illinois Sheriffs Association,
Illinois Family Institute, Illinois Police Association, Concerned
Christian Americans and many other groups and organizations. On May 5,
2010, the Illinois State Police changed their opposition to "neutral."
If I live to be 100, I'll never be convinced that they went "neutral"
without coaxing from the governor's office. You know of my profound
respect for the ISP but this is a good dose of politics in action.

"Smoked marijuana can never be approved as a medical treatment for any
illness because it is an unstable mixture of more than 400 chemicals,
many of which are toxic and include several known cancer causing
chemicals. Claims otherwise have been proven to be fraudulent and
American patients are protected from such medical claims by a century
old medical process that requires all approved medicines to be judged
‘safe and effective' by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA)," so says Robert L. Dupont M.D., the president of the Institute
for Behavior and Health Incorporated and the first director of the
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Oh, but then again, as I
shared last week Illinois legislators are far smarter than agencies
such as the FDA. Medical Marijuana is a cruel hoax. Supporters oppose
the use of purified chemical components of marijuana smoke and insist
on "smoked dope" or nothing. That should be the first clue that this
is nothing ! but a "sham". You can't deliver medicine safely by smoking it.

Marijuana potency is nearly three times more than it was in 1983, and
when it's smoked, its potency is uncontrolled. In 2006 there were
33,854 admissions to treatment centers here in Illinois for marijuana
addiction and there is little doubt that marijuana is a gateway drug
to cocaine and heroin.

Many have e-mailed me that I better support this "or else". Not only
will I not support it, I will speak passionately against it.

I will be in Hanover with my mobile office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on
Friday, July 16; on my way home I'll stop at the Elizabeth Fair.

As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at (815) 232-0774 or e-mail
us at  You can also visit my website at
www.jimsacia.com. It's always a pleasure to hear from you.
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MAP posted-by: Matt