LEGALIZATION EFFORT FLIES IN THE FACE OF THE FACTS

As we move toward the end of the budget crisis, the legalization of
medical marijuana is still on the minds of many. Although approval of
medical marijuana in the budget seems less likely these days, there
is still a slight chance it can be worked in. Only about 30 percent
of the budget is left to be passed and so far it seems as though
medical marijuana will be left out.

However, the battle isn't over yet. Even if medical marijuana doesn't
get passed through the budget, it still may get passed as a stand-alone bill.

Cannabis advocates, as well as Sen. Eric Adams and Assemblyman
Richard Gottfried, are pushing for the bill to be passed on its own.
Gottfried is pressing for the bill to be passed because he believes
that it will actually make it more difficult for those seeking
marijuana for recreational purposes to obtain the drug. Gottfried
also goes on to say that if the bill did get passed, it would be much
stricter than those that have already been passed in the 14 other states.

Gottfried also is calling for stricter punishment for those who abuse
the system to score the drug. He states that those who get caught
will be charged with a misdemeanor, whereas possession under the
current law is "similar to that of a parking ticket."

Although many believe legalizing medical marijuana will lead to
improved well-being of patients and fewer social drug problems, much
evidence proves otherwise. Major medical groups such as the American
Medical Association, the Institute for Medicine and the American
Academy of Family Practice agree that medical marijuana needs to be
clinically researched much more extensively before becoming available
to the public.

Many social problems would ensue if medical marijuana became legal.
High-risk populations will certainly be at a disadvantage.

"If kids see marijuana as a medicine, they're apt to dismiss its
harms. If we make it acceptable in society to smoke dope, our
children are more inclined to do that," said Scott Burns of the
Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Marijuana is also proven to be a gateway drug, a drug that leads
users to harder and more addicting substances. A study done by the
Journal of the American Medical Association found that "individuals
who used cannabis by age 17 years had odds of other drug use, alcohol
dependence, and drug abuse/dependence that were 2.1 to 5.2 times
higher than those of their co-twin, who did not use cannabis before
age 17 years. . . . "

Do we really want our children to get marijuana handouts from their
doctors -- those who are supposed to be preventing medical problems,
not creating them?

For more information on this topic contact the Erie County Council
for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse at
eccpasa@eccpasa.org or 716-831-9580.