Pubdate: Sat, 05 Nov 2016
Source: Bismarck Tribune (ND)
Copyright: 2016 The Bismarck Tribune
Contact: http://www.bismarcktribune.com/forms/letters.php
Website: http://www.bismarcktribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/47
Author: Joan M. Connell

MARIJUANA ISN'T A PROPER MEDICINE

As a pediatrician and a former pharmacist, I feel that it is necessary
to provide some information to voters regarding Measure 5, which would
legalize marijuana for "medical" use.

1. A plant cannot be used as a medicine because we cannot answer
necessary questions, including whether it is useful for a given
medical condition and what is a "dose" - child versus adult,
condition, route of administration? Pharmaceutical medications
containing THC already exist and can be prescribed by a health care
provider.

2. Ten percent of marijuana users are addicted and 30 percent of users
abuse marijuana.

3. There are no requirements for safe packaging that would prevent
children or others from accidentally ingesting marijuana.

4. A dramatic increase in the number of overdoses of marijuana has
occurred in the last few years in states with legalization of marijuana.

5. Instances of abuse and pediatric ingestion of cannabis have
resulted in an increase in emergency room visits in states that have
legalized some form of marijuana.

6. The measure allows children of any age to use medical marijuana.
Marijuana interferes with normal development of the human brain.

7. Although compassion centers must remain a certain distance from
schools, a loophole in the law allows it to be grown by non-public
schools.

8. Marijuana's adverse effects include problems with breathing, heart
rate and brain development;

9. The effects of legalization of marijuana for medical use in
Colorado include 100 percent increase in traffic fatalities involving
marijuana three years after medical marijuana legalization and
dramatically increased number of poisonings of children and pets.

10. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical
Association oppose legalization of marijuana for "medical" use because
of all issues listed above.

Vote no on Measure 5.

Joan M. Connell
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MAP posted-by: Matt