MARIJUANA NOT AS BENEFICIAL AS WRITER WANTS US TO BELIEVE

Robert Melamede says science has shown marijuana "is safe and
effective" ("Users of medical marijuana shouldn't be persecuted,"
Letters, Sept. 6). His letter dangerously overstates the case. His
list of prevented diseases goes far beyond any scientific evidence.
And while certain pain reduction and other beneficial effects have
been found, there are also serious adverse psychoactive and
cardiovascular effects that must not be ignored.

Dispensed as a medicine, marijuana would likely carry warnings
ranging from dizziness and drowsinessto hypotension, depression,
anxiety, blurred vision, impact on the unborn and more. Marijuana is
considered as carcinogenic as unfiltered tobacco when smoked.

This isn't some prudish government policy, but the result of
scientific observation. These facts can be verified by Googling
sources from all sides of the discussion, e.g. IOM.edu, NEJM.org,
CAM-Cancer.org and even NORML.org.

I have no problem with controlled use of powerful medications for
specific purposes, especially pain relief for the seriously ill.
After all, morphine, amphetamines and even cocaine have valid medical uses.

Pete Holzmann

Black Forest