SCIENCE IGNORED IN MEDICAL DEBATE

How are young people interpreting the so-called "medical marijuana" debate
and Delegate Don Murphy's proposal?

Marijuana advocates often claim that marijuana has medicinal benefits but
ignore the facts about the harm associated with marijuana use.

They ignore key scientific conclusions of the latest study on marijuanas
medicinal value (the Institute of Medicine's report), which found that
while various constituents of marijuana, called cannabinoids, show promise
of becoming useful medicines and should be studied, marijuana smoke causes
respiratory disease and is not a "safe" drug for any use.

Scientific studies show that marijuana can have up to four times the cancer
causing agents and toxic chemicals found in tobacco cigarettes.

Saying marijuana is medicine is like saying a dumpster full of garbage with
half a sandwich in it is your lunch. It sends the wrong message to kids who
already downplay the harmful effects of marijuana.

Tai Venuti, Rockville