Pubdate: Tue, 31 May 2011 Source: Chico Enterprise-Record (CA) Copyright: 2011 Chico Enterprise-Record Contact: http://www.chicoer.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/861 Author: Joe Canzoneri DON'T PRETEND MARIJUANA IS MEDICINE I shudder every time I encounter the phrase "medical marijuana." Equally as disconcerting is the use of the term by the news media - why? Government medical agencies and health organizations that have researched the drug have not classified it as medication. So why does the media parrot the term? The proponents of marijuana proclaim an absolute need of it for every conceivable ailment imaginable. A visit to a respectable doctor will accommodate them with a prescription that depending on the ailment will either relieve it or cure it rather than mask it. Let me pose an interesting question that should perk everyone's ears. If there is nothing to be concerned with the use of marijuana, especially among young people, why all the restrictions as to where it can be grown or dispensed, the size of the land where growing will be allowed, the proximity to a church, school, park, school bus stops, etc.? Marijuana is a treacherous drug that consumes the lives of those who become addicted to it and leads to the use of the harder drugs. Eventually users become involved with the law and rehabilitation agencies. Unfortunately, those prescriptions for marijuana issued by certain doctors are much too easily available. Considering the ruckus that occurred at one of the meetings where a stench of intimidation was evident, the Board of Supervisors had a weighty and critical decision to make concerning marijuana. The board should have outlawed it. Joe Canzoneri Magalia - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.