Proposition 215 Essays - Cannabis, Neurochemistry, Medicine

Proposition 215 Essays - Cannabis, Neurochemistry, Medicine Proposition 215 There should have been a NO vote on Proposition 215! Marijuana is NOT a medicine! There currently exists controversy concerning smoking marijuana as a medicine. Many leaders and members of the public have been misled, by the well financed and organized pro-drug legalization lobby, into believing there is merit to their argument that smoking marijuana is a safe and effective medicine. A review of the scientific research, expert medical testimony and government agency findings shows this to be false. There is no justification for using marijuana as medicine. The California Narcotics Officers' Association consists of over 7,000 criminal justice professionals who are dedicated to protecting the public from the devastating effects of substance abuse, whether cocaine, methamphetamine or marijuana. They have seen firsthand the hurting and often tragic results, both psychologically and physically, for those who chose intoxication as part of their lifestyles. They have studied the medicinal use of marijuana issue, compiling information from medical experts to present to those we are sworn to protect. It is their firm belief that any movement that liberalizes or legalizes substance abuse laws would set us back to the days of the '70s, when we experienced this country's worst drug problem and the subsequent consequences. In the '80s, through the combined and concerted efforts of law enforcement and prevention and treatment professionals, illegal drug use was reduced by 50 percent. Teenagers graduating from the class of 1992 had a 50 percent lesser chance of using drugs than did those who graduated in the class of 1979. Substance abuse rises whenever public attitude is more tolerant towards drugs (i.e., they are safe and harmless.) Other factors that contribute to a rise in use include increased availability, reduced risk with using or selling and lower prices. In 1993, for the first time in 12 years of steady decline, illegal drug use rose and continues to climb. A major contributing factor is a message that drugs "aren't so bad." To counter this "just say yes" campaign, all of us should feel compelled to provide the facts on the use of marijuana as medicine. These documented facts will prove beyond a doubt that MARIJUANA IS NOT MEDICINE. FACT: The movement to legitimize marijuana as medicine is not encouraged by the pharmaceutical companies, Federal Food and Drug Administration, health and medical associations of medical experts; but instead by groups such as the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and the Drug Policy Foundation (DPF). These organizations have little medical expertise and favor various forms of legalizing illegal drugs. FACT: The majority of the marijuana advocates' "evidence" comes from unscientific, non-examined or analyzed illustrative statements from people with a variety of illnesses. It is unknown whether these individuals used marijuana prior to their illnesses or are using marijuana in combination with other medicines. It is also unknown if they had a recent thorough medical exam or are justifying there use of marijuana, experiencing a remedy effect or experiencing the intoxicating effect of smoking marijuana. FACT: The psychoactive ingredient in marijuana (THC) is already available in pharmaceutical capsule form by prescription from medical doctors. This drug, Marinol, is less often prescribed because of the potential adverse effects and there are effective new medicines currently available. FACT: The manufacturers of Marinol, Roxane Laboratories inc., do not agree with the pro-marijuana advocates that THC is safe and harmless. In the Physicians Desk Reference, a good portion of the description of Marinol includes warnings about the adverse effects. FACT: Common sense dictates that it is not good medical practice to allow a substance to be used as medicine if that product is 1) not FDA approved, 2) ingested by smoking, 3) made up of hundreds of different chemicals, 4) not subject to product liability, 5) exempt from quality control standards, 6) not governed by daily dose criteria, 7) offered in unknown strengths (THC) from 1 to 10 percent, 8) self prescribed and self administered by the patient. FACT: Since the pro marijuana lobby has been unsuccessful in dealing with the federal government before, they targeted state and local governments to legitimize smoking marijuana as a medicine. A careful examination of their legislative and/or ballot proposals reveals they are written to effectively neutralize enforcing most marijuana laws. Crude, intoxicating marijuana, under their proposals, would be easier to obtain and use than even the most harmless, low level prescription drug. FACT: Major medical and health organizations, as well as the vast majority of nationally recognized expert medical doctors, scientists and researchers, have