Pubdate: Wed, 23 Nov 2011
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2011 The New York Times Company
Contact: http://www.nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/lettertoeditor.html
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: Rafael Lemaitre, Associate Director for Public Affairs, Office National Drug Control Policy, Washington. 
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n651/a05.html

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: THE GOVERNMENT'S VIEW

To the Editor:

In his Nov. 7 Op-Ed article, "Reefer Madness," Ethan Nadelmann 
criticized the Obama administration's position on medical marijuana 
and described the debate as "essentially a cultural and political struggle." 

The issue of medical marijuana is not about culture and 
counterculture. It is not a struggle; it is not a war. It simply comes 
down to how we approve medications as safe and effective for use in 
the United States. To date, the Food and Drug Administration has not 
found smoked marijuana to be either safe or effective medicine for any 
condition. 

No national medical association has come out in favor of smoked 
marijuana for widespread medical use. Further, many public health 
organizations, including the American Cancer Society, American 
Glaucoma Foundation, National Pain Foundation and National Multiple 
Sclerosis Society, do not support smoked "medical" marijuana. 

The administration's position is clear: the medication approval 
process should remain above the political fray. Smoked marijuana does 
not meet scientific standards for safe and effective medicine, and 
marijuana use and distribution remain illegal under federal law for 
any purpose. 

Like our National Drug Control Strategy, it is a position driven by 
evidence, not ideology. When it comes to protecting public health and 
public safety, the American people deserve no less. 

RAFAEL LEMAITRE

Associate Director for Public Affairs

Office of National Drug Control Policy

Washington, Nov. 14, 2011 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.