To the Editor ...

POT COLUMN GOT IT WRONG

RE: Kim Dick's Commentary Re: Medical Marijuana on October 17, 2006.

As a physician concerned about public health and safety, I must
disagree with Ms. Dick's assertion that "marijuana research continues
to prove that it is safe, effective and even preventative". The
evidence is to the contrary.

Medical marijuana has no inherent medical value or properties that
cannot be bested by other legal, non-addictive therapies. Marijuana
is a gateway drug to more serious drugs of abuse. Marijuana is toxic,
with five joints a week thought to have the same lung cancer causing
properties as a package of cigarettes daily.

For those interested in more information I suggest
www.dea.gov/ongoing/marijuana.html.

James Wiedrick, M.D. C.C.F.P.

Olds