Pubdate: Fri, 30 Mar 2012
Source: Salmon Arm Observer (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Salmon Arm Observer
Contact:  http://www.saobserver.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1407
Author: Colin Mayes

MP REPORT: LEGALIZING MARIJUANA RAISES MANY HEALTH CONCERNS

I am writing on a subject that I do not have personal experience with,
nor am I an expert on. In fact, I have never used this illegal drug. I
will be referencing people that are experts on the effects of
marijuana regarding the health and social well-being of users.

One of the problems our government is dealing with is the medical use
of marijuana. Canadians can grow marijuana for medicinal reasons if
the drug is prescribed by a physician and a growing permit is
acquired. The permit only allows the cultivation of quantities needed
for the single user. Very few permit holders abide by the guidelines.
In Abbotsford, in 70 per cent of the illegal grow operation busts by
police, the producer does have a medical marijuana permit.

So what to do? Should doctors be disciplined for not being more
conscientious in prescribing the drug? Should there be better
monitoring of the permit holders by a regulatory body, (this would be
expensive)? Well, the answer might be in classifying marijuana the
same as any other drug. For example, contract private enterprises to
supply the drug and have it dispensed through local pharmacies. In
this way, those that have a prescription for medical marijuana can
only obtain the drug through a controlled supplier. Any other sale of
marijuana would still be illegal.

There are side effects to marijuana as there are in many drugs that are 
used to address various health needs. Here is a quote from Dr. Henry T. 
Chuang: "As a psychiatrist who has been practising for more than 30 
years, I have seen the extensive harm smoking pot has done in terms of 
mental well-being for countless people and their families. Many small 
marijuana growers share or sell their crop with others, whose brains 
became poisoned, resulting in paranoia, psychotic behaviour, amotivation 
and many of these damages become chronic and long lasting, contrary to 
what most people think."

Wow, these are serious side effects.

Journalist Brian Hutchinson states in one of his articles: "The facts
are: cannabis products are laden with harmful chemicals; marijuana
smoke contains carcinogens and damages respiratory systems;
consumption impairs cognitive functions, especially among youth, who
are more susceptible to serious psychological and physiological
effects than adults."

Wow, that is dangerous to our youth.

So the question I have is - why would the NDP and Liberal parties wish
to legalize this drug? I thought that our responsibility as elected
representatives was to provide policy that would protect the health
and safety of Canadians, especially youth. I think anyone that
believes in organic foods, natural health products, healthy lifestyles
or social responsibility, but supports legalizing marijuana, for
anything other than medicinal purposes, is hypocritical. Using
marijuana has negative effects on the health of the user and
undermines the social well-being of society. By the way, in citing
other products that are legal but have negative effects on society,
does not justify legalizing marijuana.

- - Colin Mayes is the MP for Okanagan-Shuswap
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MAP posted-by: Matt