Medical Marijuana

NOT A GOOD CHOICE FOR THOSE IN PAIN

The Journal Sentinel Editorial Board feels that medical marijuana for
the sick and suffering is a no-brainer (On, Wisconsin, Dec. 3).
Perhaps the board should PolitiFact itself.

Marijuana is an analgesic, just like alcohol - consume enough and you
are numbed; numbing is not specific to what ails you. Because of
this, marijuana is not a good choice for a painkiller. If someone is
truly sick and suffering, let's get them access to Food and Drug
Adminstration-approved medications, where we understand effects and
dosage amounts and know the drugs are manufactured in a clean, safe
environment.

The Department of Health and Human Services recently evaluated
marijuana as a medicine and made the following findings: 1) Marijuana
has a high potential for abuse; 2) Marijuana has no currently
accepted medical use in the United States; and 3) Marijuana lacks
accepted safety for use under medical supervision.

Additionally, we have the luxury in Wisconsin to review what has
occurred in states with medical marijuana: 18- to 25-year-old
(healthy) males being main consumers, pot shops lowering property
values, revenues (taxes) being eaten up by the higher cost of
regulation and treatment.

No one wants to see the ill suffer, but medical marijuana is just a
sham to advance the legalization of pot. State Rep. Mark Pocan and
state Sen. Jon Erpenbach have heard these facts in testimony; it
would be refreshing for them to stop taking advantage of the ill to
attempt to further their own agenda.

Charles Wood

Past President, Wisconsin Narcotics Officers Association

Co-Chair, Waukesha County Drug Free Communities

Waukesha