Pubdate: Sun, 19 Jan 2014
Source: Press-Republican (NY)
Copyright: 2014 Plattsburgh Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.pressrepublican.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/639
Author: Denise A. Raymo

LOCAL DAS NOT HIGH ON MEDICAL-MARIJUANA IDEA

MALONE - North Country prosecutors have sent many a drug dealer to
state prison or jail for their involvement with marijuana
trafficking.

So what do the district attorneys in Franklin, Clinton and Essex
counties think about Gov. Andrew Cuomo's intent to legalize
medical-marijuana use by certain patients with chronic pain?

"For myself, it's A, a slippery slope, and B, if this is a ploy for
legalization, go ahead and vote and quit this charade," Franklin
County District Attorney Derek Champagne said.

"The bottom line is the active ingredient in marijuana, THC
(tetrahydrocannabinol), is available in pill form, so if marijuana
clearly has medicinal purposes, why not dispense in pill form?"

And it doesn't make sense for a person with lung cancer to smoke
marijuana on a regular basis, he continued.

"Smoking isn't really something you want to be doing if you're
sick.

"Just put it before the legislature and legalize it," Champagne said.
"Let's not play out this charade for three or four years."

'FAILURE IN CALIFORNIA'

The district attorney described the legalization of the drug in
California as "an absolute failure ... where everybody could get it.

"You had more dispensaries in certain parts of the state than
Starbucks."

Should the New York State Legislature legalize it, he said, "then it's
the law of the land. But let's call a spade a spade. Let's not waste
everybody's time. Go to a vote; let it be done."

His office would continue to have brisk business even if medicinal pot
is made legal, he said.

"We will still prosecute rapists and murderers," he said, "but to me,
if the active ingredient is available in pill form and it's safe, why
hasn't the FDA approved medicinal marijuana and repealed the federal
laws, if smoking marijuana is so beneficial?"

'DEVIL IN DETAILS'

Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie said he did not want to
go on record with an opinion yet since the issue is still in the
discussion stage.

"I know language for a law is being proposed, but it's not in effect
yet, so I'd rather reserve comment until then," he said.

Essex County District Attorney Kristy Sprague would also like more
information on the developing legislation, but she agrees with
Champagne that there are alternatives to smoking marijuana available
for sick people.

"The devil is in the details," she said in an email. "We have not
heard how this is all to happen or the details of (Cuomo's) plan.

The marijuana ingredient THC is what helps those who are ill with
nausea and pain regulation, she noted, agreeing with Champagne that
there doesn't seem to be a need to make the drug available to be
smoked since it comes in pill form.

"What medical benefit would smoking pot have for someone who is
already ill and suffering?" Sprague said. "I can see no public-health
benefit from smoking anything. It must have a negative impact on the
respiratory system, and that cannot be good for anyone, ill or healthy.

FOOT IN DOOR

For Sprague, too, it's a slippery slope.

"From a public-safety standpoint, it makes me nervous to put that foot
in the door and wedge it open a bit to allow for a segue for the
legalization of certain illicit substances, such as marijuana.

"If there are medicinal benefits to smoking pot versus ingesting a
pill form of THC, I am all ears," she said, adding she wants
clarification from medical sources on that point.

"I would never want to prevent a terminally ill patient or a person in
chronic pain from receiving relief. But I do not understand how
smoking vs. ingesting THC would be more beneficial to their pain
relief. Again, the devil is in the details."

Sprague also awaits details on who would produce the medical marijuana
and what standards would be put in place by the State Department of
Health.

"I am curious to see how this will play out and the details for the
regulations of this industry," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt