Pubdate: Sat, 20 Aug 2016
Source: East Bay Times, The (CA)
Copyright: 2016 Digital First Media
Contact:  http://www.eastbaytimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/314
Note: Oakland Tribune till April 2016
Author: Russell Erickson

MARIJUANA SIMPLY MUST BE LEGALIZED

During my long medical career, I campaigned against nicotine, 
excessive alcohol and drug use. I use none. Marijuana, however, must 
be legalized. Its effects are certainly less than alcohol.

Medically, marijuana has shown good effect in cancer and AIDS 
therapy, PTSD help, chronic pain, seizures, migraines, 
gastrointestinal problems and other illness, all denied by the DEA 
and rarely allowed as evidence in courts.

It has been used for thousands of years in many countries. It appears 
well tolerated with little evidence of intense addiction (unlike alcohol).

The only reason it is a Schedule I drug is Congress making it so 
hastily in the 1970s. A 1944 La Guardia report said it was "in 
essence innocuous," -- as did a 1968 British Wooten report, a 1972 
Canadian Le Dain report and a 1970s National Institute of Drug Abuse 
Jamaican study. Our government agencies and Congress have ignored all 
such data.

The main disorder of marijuana lies in law and imprisonment of too 
many people, ill and well. So many lives ruined.

Russell Erickson, MD

Pleasant Hill
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom