Pubdate: Thu, 27 Feb 2014
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2014 The Tribune Co.
Contact: http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-letters/
Website: http://www.tampatrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446
Author: Mike Carlson
Webpage: n/a
Page: A12

COMMON SENSE NEEDED

It's totally inappropriate to address the complex issue of medical
marijuana through a ballot amendment. Only comprehensive legislation
will help ensure this is done right

You don't have to talk to many people or read much of the literature
to realize that a number of people have been legitimately helped by
the use of medical marijuana. The folks who can be helped deserve our
compassion. Of great concern, though, is that a ballot measure would
be a "gateway law" to total legalization of the drug. Any safeguards
in a two-or three-paragraph ballot measure will eventually die the
death of a thousand qualifications and exceptions. A high-profile
ballot fight might give the perception that this isn't an illegal
drug, but just medicine and therefore good. Next, some judge will
enshrine every American's "fundamental right" to smoke marijuana. Then
we will reap what we sow. The end result might look like a scene from
the sci-fi genre showing people lining up for their happy pill.

The arguments supporting legalization are bogus. When people say
marijuana is no worse than alcohol, you are tacitly admitting that
there are deleterious effects. Like alcohol, there is measurable
physical and psychological harm resulting from the use of marijuana.
When people say things will be better if we regulate marijuana and at
least get revenue from it, you need only to look at our history with
alcohol. The carnage on our highways and devastation to our families
continue. Is there any government of any size that can say that
revenue from alcohol offsets the costs from accidents, crime and
health care?

I believe in palliative care. Both my parents were blessed by the work
of Hospice. If marijuana will provide another tool at their disposal,
let's go for it. Unfortunately, there is a move from both ends of the
political spectrum to use medical marijuana as a steppingstone to
total legalization. Fresh from the memories of the infamous
pain-killer pill mills we need some leadership from the common-sense
legislators left in Tallahassee to draft a bill that will ensure help
for the truly medical needy while protecting our society from the
added strain of another debilitating scourge.

Mike Carlson, Weeki Wachee
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MAP posted-by: Matt