Pubdate: Wed, 22 Oct 2014
Source: Bradenton Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2014 Bradenton Herald
Contact: http://www.bradenton.com/submit-letter/
Website: http://www.bradenton.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/58
Author: Skip Hannon

MEDICAL MARIJUANA SENSIBLE ON MANY LEVELS, VOTE FOR AMENDMENT 2 ON
FLORIDA BALLOT

Marijuana has been used as a natural medical herb for thousands of
years, going back to ancient civilizations, in Egypt, India, Africa
and later in America.

"Unlike many of the drugs we prescribe every day, marijuana has never
been proven to cause a fatal overdose." -- Joyce Elders, former U.S.
attorney general.

"No acute lethal overdoses of cannabis are known in contrast to
several of it's illegal (cocaine) and legal (alcohol, aspirin,
acetaminophen) counterparts." -- Stephen Sidney, MD, former associate
director for clinical research at Kaiser Permanente.

After extensive study, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a surgeon, presented a
documentary on CNN citing the benefits of cannabis, which he now supports.

A survey by Quinnipiac University reveals that 82 percent of Americans
favor legalization of medical marijuana, which is now legal in 21 states.

The reasoning behind the adamant opposition by elected law officials
- -- including Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube and Florida Attorney
General Pam Bondi -- is questioned. Large numbers of our populous will
continue to smoke marijuana, pot, weed, maryjane, reefer, grass or its
other names, whether it is legal or not. It seems obvious, then, that
if marijuana laws are in some cases decriminalized, these law officers
could devote their valuable time to pursue violent criminals,
hazardous drivers and the many problems that plague our state and county.

Vote yes on Amendment 2.

Skip Hannon

Bradenton 
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MAP posted-by: Richard