Pubdate: Tue, 07 Aug 2012 Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) Copyright: 2012 The Arizona Republic Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24 MEDICAL POT IS HERE TO STAY, LIKE IT OR NOT Medical marijuana? What's to like? The concept starts by elevating a street drug to the level of therapeutic pharmaceutical. There's the canard about how pot is just another "natural" choice for patients, like herbal tea. But despite our misgivings, and those of the state's prosecutors and sheriffs, medical marijuana is the law. Arizona voters approved it, in 2010, and their votes should mean something. Gov. Jan Brewer has little choice but to reject law enforcement's calls to stop the program. The state Department of Health Services has worked hard to set up a system that will limit use to those who say marijuana relieves their symptoms. Today, a state lottery will determine who gets the first licenses granted in Arizona to sell marijuana. It is the culmination of a long and diligent process to keep this program from becoming a complete sham. Yes, there are people whose medical symptoms are helped by marijuana. The same could be said of a hot toddy. Marijuana is not a recognized medicine with standard doses and controlled, uniform potency. Only the naive could fail to recognize the ultimate goal of medical-marijuana laws is legalization of the drug. That should be debated openly on its merits, not by pretending pot is medicine. Prosecutors and sheriffs say they expect federal officials to snuff dispensaries as soon as they open. A U.S. Justice Department spokesman says that's inaccurate. But when pressed for a definitive answer about jeopardy for state employees, the Justice Department shilly-shallied. Disgraceful. The program could become a stoner's dream. The state could wind up in federal court. These are among possible unpleasant side effects of a lousy law. There's plenty to dislike here. But Arizona has done its best to implement the voters' will. Only a court can stop it now. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt