MARIJUANA SHOULD NOT BE USED AS MEDICINE

I was discouraged by the Times Union editorial of Nov 9. The issue of
medical use of marijuana is currently being used by proponents in their
never-ending attempt to legalize all drugs. Many of the propositions use an
emotional and compassionate reason, focusing on the sick and elderly,
citing benefits of medical marijuana.

As mentioned in your editorial, both of the propositions I spoke of are
funded by George Soros, as well as several others with the same agenda of
legalizing all drugs. Soros has contributed millions of dollars to many
pro-drug organizations, including NORML and the Drug Policy Foundation, who
advocate the legalization of all drugs.

If indeed the FDA stated that marijuana, medical or otherwise, was safe for
consumption and that the benefits outweighed the risks, I would have no
problem with seeing it legalized. These propositions are trying to pull an
end run on the FDA and the American people. If these propositions succeed,
then they will have reverse many, many years of progress.

In meetings held by NORML and the Drug Policy Foundation, where major
supporters spoke, they stated that their agenda was simple, medicalization
first, then legalization.

This debate is best left to the experts. It should be noted that not one
American health association accepts marijuana as a medicine. The American
Medical Association policy statement states that marijuana is a dangerous
drug and a public health concern, adopted in 1969 and re-affirmed in 1994.

Andrew Zostant
Office of the Chief of Police
Town of Colonie

Checked-by: Richard Lake