MARIJUANA CANARD

The November 1998 Election Day success of ballot initiatives to legalize
marijuana ostensibly for medicinal purposes in Nevada and Washington state
undoubtedly encouraged advocates of drug legalization throughout the United
States.

Rep. Bob Barr, Georgia Republican, thwarted a similar initiative in the
District of Columbia by restricting the use of federal funds to count that
particular ballot. Presently, however, the American Civil Liberties Union
is challenging Mr. Barr's efforts, the authority of Congress and
essentially the integrity of the anti-drug effort, before a federal judge.
This challenge ignores the clear socioeconomic and health hazards of
marijuana as it seeks to strengthen the foundation of the subtle
legalization campaign.

The United States has a rigorous method for determining drug safety prior to
legal distribution. Medical marijuana initiatives are intended to circumvent
this process through public referendums and eventually achieve a wider
agenda - total legalization. This scheme was invented in the early 1970s by
a pro-legalization lobby after it failed to convince DEA to "downgrade"
marijuana to a Schedule II drug - one that can be prescribed by doctors. The
referendum strategy, however, puts the health of Americans at risk by
threatening to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes without the
rigorous scientific evidence needed to acquire FDA approval.

Medical evidence shows smoking marijuana is more harmful than helpful - it
complicates conditions from which users seek relief and causes new diseases.
A 1998 Charles Mott Foundation-sponsored conference of 50 scientists and
physicians from five countries determined marijuana smoke is more toxic than
tobacco smoke to the lungs, heart, immune system and brain; may trigger or
worsen the course of mental conditions; and can damage sexual reproductive
functions.

Additionally, Dr. Gabe Merkin, a leading medical talk show host, revealed
marijuana smoke contains roughly "30 times more carcinogens" than tobacco
smoke, supporting findings from another recent study showing marijuana
smokers demonstrate a significantly increased risk for developing lung
cancer. The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) indicated
marijuana contains more than 425 chemicals that convert to thousands when
smoked and whose effects are largely unknown, but may also prove toxic.
Marijuana's lone active ingredient, THC, can be taken in pill form,
eliminating need to smoke the drug.

Marijuana legalization would also increase employee drug use, adversely
affecting American commercial enterprises. In today's highly globalized
economy, American industries rely on worker productivity to remain
competitive abroad, increasing the importance of a drug-free workplace.
Studies show marijuana use among employees is a consistent cause of
absenteeism, accidents and higher use of medical benefits.

The cost to the U.S. from drug-related reductions in productivity and
safety is more than $100 billion annually. With two-thirds of drug users
employed, a system of legalized marijuana will magnify this damage to worker
productivity and safety. Further, damage to property and loss of life from
motor vehicle accidents where drivers were under the influence of marijuana
are prevalent and could lead to increases in automobile insurance. A
roadside study of reckless drivers not believed to be impaired by alcohol
found that 45 percent tested positive for marijuana.

Legalizing marijuana even if only for medicinal purposes inevitably will
create opportunity for criminal organizations involved in dark- side
capitalist activities to thrive. Proposed medical marijuana initiatives
afford little medical or law enforcement supervision of marijuana use and
are therefore unable to prevent black market spillover.

The initiative that appeared on the November 1998 D.C. ballot presently in
contention allows individuals to cultivate and sell unlimited and therefore
unaccounted-for amounts of marijuana. ONDCP stated, "If this initiative
were to become law, drug traffickers would be basically shielded from
successful prosecution." Now legal marijuana networks would serve to
identify customers, train salesmen and provide the bridge for further
legalization, as dealers would eventually seek to legitimize 200 other
illegal drugs. This expansion would allow drug dealers to become unfettered
dark-side power brokers of the 21st century.

Ultimately, these developments would impact on our democratic institutions,
distorting the law and corrupting our lawmakers and enforcers.

Initiatives to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes will destabilize
the U.S. anti-drug effort. Proponents of legalization are using these
initiatives as a "foot-in-the-door" mechanism, which can lead to dangerous
drug use by a new universe of people. Given the dangers, it is surprising
President Clinton has not been as intensely vocal against marijuana
legalization as he has toward tobacco use.

To counter this lack of leadership, health experts must acknowledge
marijuana use is a canard, comprised of contradicting and unfounded
theories. Likewise, states must recognize drug legalization efforts fuel
dark-side capitalist activity while corrupting democratic institutions.

Hence, "Just Say No" is a slogan not only to be heeded by America' s
children, but also to be utilized by judges and politicians in the making of
sound drug policy.

Maj. F. Andy Messing Jr. is executive director of the National Defense
Council Foundation and a former Special Forces officer who has been to 17
drug areas worldwide. Ronald Nazzaro is a research assistant at the National
Defense Council Foundation.