Pubdate: Wed, 10 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: John Calbeck

POT ISN'T MEDICINE

This year, Kansas will again face the introduction of legislation 
seeking to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. Despite recent 
attempts to generate public support for these efforts, such a 
softening of the restrictions on marijuana use continues to be a 
seriously flawed concept.

These initiatives bypass the Food and Drug Administration processes 
that protect the public from harmful medications and treatments. 
Smoked marijuana has a high addictive potential and lacks any 
acceptable safety date for its use, even under medical supervision. 
It is a crude delivery system, which exposes users to a host of 
harmful substances. Authentic research is still needed to identify 
valid uses for inhaled marijuana. Until that research is available 
and until new and safer delivery systems are devised and approved, 
Kansas shouldn't bypass the FDA safeguards with regard to any form marijuana.

Marijuana is harmful for young people and adults. Research has shown 
that increased incidences of bipolar illness, schizophrenia and 
psychosis are associated with marijuana use. Youths who don't use 
marijuana are five times more likely to graduate from high school and 
college. People younger than 21 who use marijuana are five times more 
likely to require treatment for primary marijuana addiction than for 
any other drug, including alcohol.

Proponents of "medical marijuana" portray it as a drug that is 
harmless and without consequence to public health. Nothing could be 
further from the truth.

JOHN CALBECK, M.D.,

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SHAWNEE REGIONAL PREVENTION AND RECOVERY SERVICES, TOPEKA
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