CONSUMER PROTECTION

Policymakers and citizens should be dubious about "medical"
marijuana. As a drug policy expert and Florida resident, I recommend
breaking down the issue into the science, patients, distribution and
the propaganda to identify unintended consequences.

Scientific research doesn't support smoked marijuana as a medicine
that could be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Some
components of marijuana have shown medicinal benefit and are
available in an FDA-approved pill.

Most ill people go to legitimate doctors and take legitimate
medications. In cities where this issue has been examined, only 2
percent of those smoking marijuana as "medicine" have serious
conditions such as AIDS, glaucoma or cancer. However, 98 percent are
"treating" back and neck pain, anxiety, muscle spasms, insomnia,
headaches and other insignificant conditions. More troubling is that
12 percent of the users are under 21.

Medi-pot is distributed at "pay-by-cash" dispensaries that sell toxic
weeds, not pharmacies. These pot shops are magnets for crime, which
drive out surrounding legitimate businesses.

The propaganda surrounding this entire issue seriously jeopardizes
consumer protection. Determining medicine by popular vote is a
dangerous practice - not scientific methodology.

Calvina Fay

Executive Director

Drug Free America Foundation Inc.

St. Petersburg