MEDICAL MARIJUANA A 'CON,' U.S. DEPUTY DRUG CZAR SAYS

But Supporters of Measure Say Pot Offers Relief

The nation's deputy drug czar on Friday said proponents of the
medical marijuana initiative on the Nov. 7 ballot are playing to
voters' sympathies to pass a dangerous measure.

"It's a step backwards in South Dakota and a step backwards
nationally," said Scott Burns, deputy director of White House
National Drug Control Policy, who spoke to reporters Friday. "Do not
fall for the con."

If voters approve Initiated Measure 4, South Dakota would join 11
other states that allow some medical patients to grow and smoke
marijuana to help ease their medical problems. Residents of those
states still can face federal drug charges.

Conditions that could qualify under the measure include cancer,
glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures,
severe or persistent muscle spasms and multiple sclerosis. The
state's health department also could approve other qualifying medical
conditions.

Proponents of the measure say making marijuana available to sick
people would keep them from having to go to the black market for
their medicine.

"We really need this for patients who are truly ill so they can have
another means of release," said Valerie Hannah of Deerfield, who uses
marijuana to ease the chronic pain of nerve damage.

Hannah - who served as a combat medic in the first Gulf War - said
she is permanently disabled from exposure to nerve gas, and marijuana
is the only drug that helps.

"I get a mild euphoria, but nothing like I had when I was on
painkillers," Hannah said. "My nerves stop hurting; I don't feel the
burning sensations that I get."

Law enforcement officials said Friday that they fear legalizing
marijuana for use by medical patients could lead to more of the drug
being used illegally in South Dakota.

"The risk far outweighs the benefits," said Minnehaha County Sheriff
Mike Milstead, who opposes the measure. "There's great concern about
how easily this marijuana could fall into the wrong hands."

Burns said the United States has seen a 19 percent decrease in teen
marijuana use during the past three years, and legalizing marijuana
for medical reasons won't help.

He said state measures such as South Dakota's are a step toward
legalizing the drug for everyone, and that's not acceptable, he said.

"Clearly, [drug statistics] can't be helped by making more drugs
available," Burns said.