'MEDICAL' MARIJUANA IS SNAKE OIL REMEDY

Most Minnesota government officials want the best possible health and
safety measures for their fellow citizens. Legalizing as medicine
marijuana cigarettes not approved by the Food and Drug Administration
or Minnesota Health Department is not such a measure.

What is called "medical marijuana" is a toxic, tar-laden weed used in
various forms (cigarettes, bowls, bongs and brownies ). Users
generally are seeking the "high-producing" chemical,
tetrahydrocannabinol -- THC -- one of the 66 bio-active chemicals
(cannabinoids) found only in marijuana. THC pills have been available
by medical prescription for at least 20 years. Do we really need a
THC cigarette when a THC pill is legally and medically available?

Smoking a weed for medicine is the pharmacological equivalent of
eating moldy bread for penicillin or eating poppy seeds for morphine.
All contain contaminants, and none in their raw form is approved for
safety and efficacy by the FDA.

Physicians worldwide -- in the United States, England, Holland, and
especially Canada -- are concerned about their liability, should harm
result to their patients.

There already has been "medical marijuana" fallout in this country.
Several homeowners' insurance companies in California have paid
claims for marijuana plant theft. A user sued Delta Airlines for not
being able to smoke at the airport or take his pot on the plane. The
California Supreme Court has ruled that employers may fire workers
for using physician-recommended marijuana.

Legislation legalizing medical marijuana would bypass the eight
factors passed by Congress in 1970 that must be considered by the FDA
and the Drug Enforcement Agency when scheduling a controlled substance.

There is a growing body of scientific evidence, including a 2005
study done in The Netherlands, that shows the use of marijuana leads
to increased psychotic symptoms. Numerous studies have linked
marijuana use to early-onset schizophrenia.

Does the state of Minnesota have a process for approving medicine? If
not, might the state (or its doctors) be held liable for harms caused
to citizens by non-medically approved, toxic, tar-laden marijuana
cigarettes? Who would pay damages to citizens after toxic marijuana
cigarettes made some of them sick? Who would pay treatment and/or
mental health costs for those who become addicted? Develop psychosis?

Would school students be able to smoke their medical pot on school
grounds? In California, some have.

Is smoking medical marijuana cigarettes covered under the Minnesota
Clean Air Act? If so, what are the provisions?

How would children and others be protected from secondhand marijuana smoke?

Would users be able to drive vehicles after smoking?

Does the state of Minnesota have the necessary law enforcement
resources to patrol medical marijuana grows and dispensaries?

The known and potential hazards are too great. Minnesota citizens
want safe and effective medicines, and they look to their public
officials to protect them from harmful snake oil remedies.