LEGALIZING MARIJUANA CREATES BAD SIDE EFFECTS

I have worked as a physician certified in the field of addiction
medicine for about 25 years. I have treated over 30,000 patients with
drug problems.

Marijuana is not a safe drug ("Vote yes on Proposal 1 for medical
marijuana," Oct. 3). The side effects, both short and long term, are
varied and unpredictable. Mentally they include paranoia, confusion,
memory and judgment impairment for the short term.

Long-term permanent effects include paranoia, memory problems,
depression, panic attacks, anxiety disorders, mood swings and impaired
cognition.

Physically, marijuana use can cause neurological symptoms that can
mimic nerve damage of many forms, strokes and even neurosyphilis,
leaving even well-trained neurologists confused as to a diagnosis.

Marinol is a legal oral form of one of the active ingredients in
marijuana smoke, THC. Years ago when it was first available, patients
had the option of opening windows while in their room in the hospital.
Back then, one of the warnings accompanying the use of this medication
was to put the patient in a room on the first floor in case he or she
became delusional and wanted to jump out of the window.

It is important to recognize that seriously ill patients, such as
those with metastatic cancer, are more prone to side effects of many
medications, including Marinol.

Please don't make the mistake of thinking that you are alleviating
suffering by legalizing the medical use of marijuana.

Douglas L. Marsh, D.O.

Melvindale