MEDICAL MARIJUANA CLAIMS INCORRECT

In a recent Soapbox (March 3), Dawn Nannini made several groundless
and totally unsubstantiated assertions concerning the supposed harm
that is inflicted upon our community by the presence of medical
marijuana, or MMJ, dispensaries. Nannini claimed that marijuana use
among local youth has increased and that these youth have the
perception that marijuana is not harmful due to legalization of MMJ
dispensaries. She provided absolutely no evidence in support of these
assertions.

Nannini stated in her letter: "The very term 'medical' lends the
perception that this is a substance with healing properties when in
fact the evidence for such is negligible." If Nannini took the time
to do a little research, she would find that there is quite a lot of
evidence in the scientific literature clearly indicating that
marijuana is useful in treating a wide variety of illnesses.

She also stated: "... our city has endorsed medical marijuana
dispensaries sends a clear message to our youth about the
not-so-harmful effects of marijuana." While it is true that marijuana
is not a particularly harmful substance, legalization of MMJ
dispensaries sends no such message.

She concluded her letter: "None of our neighboring communities is
allowing this. Why are we?" This is an absurd argument. The citizens
of Fort Collins have the right and the obligation to make their own
decisions about the legal status of MMJ dispensaries.

We have laws that provide severe penalties for selling marijuana to
minors. These laws should be vigorously enforced rather than
abridging the rights of MMJ patients.

John Allen,

Fort Collins