In 2000, Colorado voters approved Article XVIII of the Colorado Constitution legalizing medical marijuana. For more than six years, Coloradans and law enforcement have suffered the consequences of an ill-conceived and confusing referendum. Unfortunately, the ballot measure passed because the proponents of medical marijuana played upon people's compassions and emotions and not scientific medical research.

It's important to clarify the distinction between "smoked marijuana" and pharmaceutical THC. THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, has shown the potential to alleviate certain medical conditions. However, there are no scientific studies that support the use of smoked marijuana for medical treatment in the U.S. Proponents of medical marijuana are reluctant to admit that THC is readily available in prescription form, including Marinol, which is safer and more effective than smoked marijuana.

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