Pubdate: Sun, 08 Aug 2010
Source: Billings Gazette, The (MT)
Copyright: 2010 Laura Needham
Contact: http://billingsgazette.com/app/contact/?contact=letter
Website: http://www.billingsgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/515
Author: Laura Needham

MARIJUANA SELLERS DON'T FOLLOW SAFE DRUG PRACTICES

In order for one to practice as a medical marijuana provider, one must
have no experience, other than reaching the age of 18. Anyone can
start a medical practice here in Montana, just be sure to include
"marijuana" in the title. Imagine a pharmacists or a M.D. seeking to
open and operate a business without achieving any educational
requirements.

The FDA has set forth the regulatory path that must be followed to
ensure products meet standards of modern medicine. Currently marijuana
is not standardized or have any quality control or even dosage forms.
The only product that has a controlled dosage of THC, the active
ingredient in marijuana, would be marinol, already available through a
pharmacist!

Marijuana distributors are nothing more than regular street drug
dealers. The availability and the lack of risk these storefronts offer
are great for growing business. Drug dealers can see the advantage of
having an 18-year-old senior in high school possessing a "drug card."
Every day we allow these distributors to remain in Billings to "play
doctor" or "play pharmacists," it undermines our ability to tell the
youth to stay away from harmful drugs.

Our youth need leadership. Our great country will find no freedom in
the future of addiction. Ask your City Council to stem the tide of
drugs in our community. Please attend the marijuana meeting Aug. 9.

Laura Needham

Billings 
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