MEDICAL-MARIJUANA CAN HURT MORE THAN HEAL

Letters To The Editor:

We oppose the legalization of medical marijuana. To date, no critical
research has been performed establishing its efficacy or safety. The
American Medical Association, American Optometric Association and National
Institutes of Health are all in opposition to this Bill 124.

Every symptom or disease cited by the advocates of medical marijuana has
other appropriately researched, and medically approved, alternatives for
treatment. There currently is no way to control the dosing, contamination
from other chemicals or molds, and harmful effects on the lungs and immune
system in ingested or inhaled marijuana.

Cannabis is often the first illicit drug that the young people of
Connecticut are introduced to, second only to cigarettes. There is an
association between a drop in scholastic performance, criminal behavior,
mood or anxiety problems, and future drug dependence with the regular use
of marijuana. Perception of harm is a very strong deterrent to the use of
drugs by young people. This bill would send the wrong message.

Individuals dependent on this drug are known to use compulsively even when
their health, education, jobs, interpersonal relationships and legal status
are in jeopardy. In 2002, more than 4,000 patients came into treatment in
Connecticut citing marijuana as their primary drug problem, seven hundred
of whom were adolescents.

It is insulting that the advocates would describe physicians not in support
of this bill as not "believing it is important to help people suffering."
Please read those messages for what they are, misinformed and deceptive.
Say no to legalization of medical marijuana.

Stephen A. Wyatt, O.D.

Mark Kraus, M.D.

Waterbury

Editor's note: Dr. Wyatt is president of the Connecticut Chapter of the
American Society of Addiction Medicine and Dr. Kraus is the immediate past
president.