LEGALIZATION PROPOSAL IGNORES SIGNIFICANT RISKS

Over the past week the issue of legalizing marijuana has been at the
forefront of the media. In New York State, Assemblyman Richard N.
Gottfried has sponsored a bill that would make marijuana available to
individuals who he claims might benefit from its possible therapeutic
effects.

Specifically, he has suggested that smoking marijuana should be
approved in New York to be used by "registered" patients who would
obtain a prescription by physicians. We applaud his compassionate
intentions of helping those who suffer. However, we believe that this
proposal is bad public policy. The potential benefits of the
ingredients of marijuana have received substantial scientific study
for use in a range of health problems. Conclusions about possible
risks and benefits are mixed.

Some people feel that the benefits of use as a medicine outweigh the
"exaggerated" physical side effects. The fact is when THC, the active
ingredient in marijuana, is inhaled, many other harmful substances are
distributed throughout the body. The adverse effects of marijuana
smoke on the lungs and respiratory system counteract any possible benefits.

Also, no FDA approved medications are smoked, probably because smoking
is not an effective way to deliver medicine since it is difficult to
regulate appropriate dosage in smoked form. Additionally, the FDA has
approved Marinol, in pill form, which contains the active ingredient
THC.

Some individuals report improvement in the relief of severe,
persistent pain from cancer with the use of marijuana. The fact is
that patients may benefit from and require short-term use. However,
long-term use presents additional risks including the development of
physical dependence and impaired immune and lung functions.

The legalization of medicinal marijuana presents significant risks to
society. Since perceived risk correlates with trends in teen use of
marijuana, it is likely that current trends in lowered marijuana use
would reverse as teens discover "marijuana is an approved medicine."
It is well documented that widespread availability of cheap substances
increases abuse.

This is a concern for medicinal marijuana, since methods of limited
distribution have not been adequately addressed, as has been shown
recently with the current epidemic of prescription drug abuse.

We support continued study of the potential benefits of components in
marijuana to determine how to safely deliver these chemicals and how
to minimize risks. We also suggest that if policy changes are made,
they must incorporate statements of the risks involved when utilizing
marijuana as a medicine and suggestions of how to prevent an increase
in abuse among the general population.

Andrea J. Wanat is executive director of the Erie County Council for
the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. Robert Whitney is
chairman of the Public Policy Committee.