Pubdate: Sat, 06 Oct 2012
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal (KS)
Copyright: 2012 The Topeka Capital-Journal
Contact:  http://cjonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/455
Author: Eric A. Voth
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n486/a01.html

POT NOT HARMLESS

I take strong exception to the assertions by Dr. Jon Hauxwell, 
reported Sept. 30 in The Topeka Capital-Journal, that marijuana for 
medicinal purposes is essentially harmless.

Such comments reflect either ignorance of the medical literature or 
malignant disregard of it. More concerning is that The 
Capital-Journal did not challenge these assertions nor provide a 
contrary point of view.

While it is true that marijuana does not cause overdose deaths 
because it does not suppress respiration, there exists a host of new 
data demonstrating significant problems with acute psychosis and 
difficulty with long-term use causing diminished cognitive brain 
function, as well as mental decline in HIV and multiple sclerosis 
patients who use it medically. Recent reports have also emerged tying 
marijuana use to testicular cancer and problems with pregnancy.

Since the opening of marijuana dispensaries in California, 
marijuana-related traffic fatalities have doubled. Colorado sees a 
similar problem.

It tells much about the medical-excuse pot movement to find that 
about 80 percent of medical-excuse pot users are under age 54 and 
using for the complaint of chronic pain. The actual medical 
distribution of chronic pain is the exact opposite of this.

The reality is that the medical-excuse pot movement is creating a 
system that bypasses the FDA and creates marijuana by popular vote.

Even Hauxwell should oppose such a terrible turn in public policy.

ERIC A. VOTH, M.D.,

CHAIRMAN, INSTITUTE ON GLOBAL DRUG POLICY,

TOPEKA
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