COUNTY SHOULD DO MORE RESEARCH ON MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

Yesterday, the Kern County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to
approve the implementation of a medical marijuana identification card
program in the county.

While we understand that the board was carrying out the wishes of
voters and a state mandate, we do not believe this is a good idea.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that federal law pre-empts state
law, which means medical-marijuana users can still be prosecuted under
federal statutes.

In a recent interview, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona told
the New York Times Magazine, "I approach [the medical marijuana issue]
not as a legal issue, but as a health issue, and I cannot recommend to
anyone that they smoke, first of all. Smoking is so bad for you. I
can't say it would be safe to eat [marijuana], because no one has
studied the long or short-term gastrointestinal effects."

While many have said that medical marijuana may have helped ease their
particular medical problems, not enough is known about the long-term
risks.

We believe more research is needed not only about the legal issues,
but especially the health issues.