Pubdate: Fri, 05 Oct 2012
Source: Salem News (MA)
Copyright: 2012 Eagle Tribune Publishing Company
Contact: http://www.salemnews.com/contactus/local_story_015132129.html
Website: http://www.salemnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3466

NO ON QUESTION 3

Supporters of Question 3 on the Nov. 6 ballot say that allowing the 
sale and distribution of marijuana for medicinal use is all about 
easing people's pain. Don't believe it. The campaign in support of 
the measure, backed heavily by out-of-state money, is about laying 
the groundwork for legal use of the drug in all instances.

Question 3 would remove punishment under state law for everyone from 
patients and physicians to dispensaries and "personal caregivers" for 
patients. (We can hear it now: "That pot's not mine, officer. I'm a 
personal caregiver.") And all one needs for access to a 60-day 
supply, according to the proposed law, is a note from a doctor.

"Who determines who has a medical condition?" Danvers police Chief 
Neil Ouellette asked in a recent interview with reporter Ethan 
Forman. Ouellette said his research into medical marijuana in other 
states found the most prevalent use for it is to treat a sore back.

What's more, "medical marijuana" is not recognized as a legal 
substance under federal law.

Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett sums it up best: 
"Until the American Medical Association and Massachusetts Medical 
Society supports smoked marijuana as a legitimate medical remedy, and 
it receives FDA approval like all other medications, it is my opinion 
that that medical marijuana ballot initiative is nothing less than an 
effort to legalize a potentially dangerous and addictive drug." We 
agree, and urge that voters reject Question 3.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom