SHORT-TERM MEMORY LOSS

The media and local marijuana advocates keep referring to "medicinal
marijuana."

Prop. 215 authors manipulated human compassion in an attempt to sidestep
federal drug laws. The local politicians all jumped onto their soap boxes
to condemn federal DEA agents for doing their jobs last week.

I do feel compassion for those suffering from cancer. I'm sorry there is no
cure for cancer yet and chemotherapy is hard on the human body. Throughout
history there have been those who have attempted to manipulate human
compassion and fears for personal/political goals. Snake-oil salesmen sold
promise and hope in a bottle.

The FDA and AMA don't recognize the smoking of marijuana as medicine and
the U.S. Supreme Court concluded that there is no medical exception to
federal drug laws.

The approved medicine in marijuana is THC. THC is prescribed legally and is
available in precise doses and consistency. Smoking marijuana causes a drop
in blood-sugar levels and increases hunger (due to THC). It causes a loss
of short-term memory and motor skills while increasing drowsiness.

Smoking is not an approved medical delivery system. Smoking super- heated
gasses causes cell tissue damage to the bronchial tubes and alveoli while
depositing tars and burned byproducts in the lungs. The THC level is not
consistent when smoked.

Instead of hiding behind a thin veil of the untested and unsupported
"medicinal" use of smoking marijuana, ask Congressman Farr to introduce a
bill in Congress to decriminalize marijuana for personal use. Marijuana is
a fairly harmless recreational drug with moderate adverse affects when
smoked, but it's not medicine.

The "medicinal marijuana" folks keep forgetting that THC is already
available as a prescribed medicine approved by the FDA. Must be that darn
short-term memory loss.

Bob Messing, Watsonville