Sunday Dialogue

WHEN MARIJUANA IS USED AS MEDICINE.

The Writer Responds

The responses focus on denying the dangers of marijuana use (that it
is addictive and causes car crashes), personal anecdotes about
marijuana as "medicine," and justifications for bypassing the
approval process of the Food and Drug Administration.

I point Mr. Anton to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
showing that marijuana users have the highest rate of dependence of
all those classified with illicit drug dependence. Higher potency
marijuana is a major factor in the increasing number of Americans
being treated for dependence.

Common sense and studies confirm that marijuana-related driving
problems include decreased handling performance, slower reaction
times and lack of motor coordination.

Studies in recent years have linked marijuana to many health
problems, including birth defects, respiratory system damage, cancer,
brain damage, strokes, immune system damage, mental illness, violence
and infertility.

Although many people like Mr. Sikov report that marijuana benefited
them, anecdotal reports are not reliable scientific evidence and can
be influenced by the emotional expectations of the person, the
sedative-hallucinogenic effect of marijuana, and politics. Public
health must be protected based on unbiased science and objective
clinical testing.

The F.D.A. did a comprehensive study and found that "no sound
scientific studies supported medical use of marijuana." Its
sophisticated drug approval process is our best defense against
marketing unsafe and ineffective drugs.

That is true compassion for the ill.

DAVID EVANS

Belvidere, N.J., Dec. 15, 2011