Pubdate: Thu, 15 Jul 2010
Source: Portland Tribune (OR)
Copyright: 2010 Pamplin Media Group
Contact: http://www.portlandtribune.com/forms/letters_form.php
Website: http://www.portlandtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2056
Author: Roger Burt

MARIJUANA ADVOCATES DUPE THE PUBLIC

Marinol, a pharmaceutical derived from marijuana, is classified as a
Schedule 3 drug in Oregon, while marijuana itself is now classified as
a more dangerous Schedule 2 controlled substance. That difference has
marijuana advocates planning an appeal of a recent Oregon State Board
of Pharmacy ruling.

Doctors can't prescribe marijuana for smoking in Oregon or anywhere
else in the world (State gives marijuana a new classification, July
1). Oregon's marijuana law merely requires a doctor to certify that
the marijuana user has one of the medical conditions listed in the
law.

That's the end of doctor involvement.

There is no physician oversight of, or responsibility for, the
marijuana use, as there would be with a legitimate
prescription.

The federal government rates smoked marijuana as Schedule 1, because
smoked marijuana is addictive and has no legitimate medical use. The
Oregon Legislature recently ordered the State Board of Pharmacy to
relax the federal rating of smoked marijuana. This occurred through a
political process, not a scientific or medical process.

The 1998 Oregon marijuana law was created through political means, not
medical. Arguments in favor of legalized marijuana were, and remain,
in conflict with scientific evidence. Marijuana advocates are duping
some Oregonians and many Democrats.

There is nothing healthy, beneficial or medical about smoking
marijuana.

Roger Burt

Southeast Portland
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