HIGH ON COMPASSION

It seemed like a good idea at the time, the Compassionate Use Act of
1996, which allowed Californians to use marijuana with a doctor's
permission to alleviate pain. The act was put on the ballot, and
California voters passed it 56 to 44 percent.

The biggest bankroller of the referendum was George Soros, the
secular-progressive billionaire who champions drug legalization. He
pumped about $350,000 into pro-medpot ads, according to published
reports.

Since the act was passed into law, thousands of pot "clinics" have
opened across the Golden State. In San Francisco, things got so out
of control that Mayor Gavin Newsom, a very liberal guy, had to close
many of the "clinics" because drug addicts were clustering around
them, causing fear among city residents. In San Diego, there's
another problem. Some high school kids have found a loophole in the
Compassion Act. Incredibly, there is no age requirement to secure
medical marijuana in California and no physical examination needed
either. So some kids tell a doctor they have a headache, pay him $150
for a card, and then buy all the pot they want. Unbelievable, but
true.

Catherine Martin, a school official in San Diego, actually sent
letters to parents in the Grossmont Union School District warning
that some students are getting the medical marijuana cards and then
selling them to other students. The result: an increasing number of
kids arriving at school stoned. Ms. Martin warned parents to
supervise their children.

San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis told me that some
"clinics" are even marketing medical marijuana under names like
"Reefer's Peanut Butter Cup," and "Baby Jane." Cheech and Chong would
be proud.

Now, I'm sure George Soros doesn't give a hoot about this, but the
unintended consequence of non-prescription medical marijuana
legalization is that some kids are making an industry out of it.
Sure, pot is available illegally in most places, but now children
have a legal option. Why work at Burger King when you can sell pot
cards?

Of course, there is nothing "compassionate" about kids being
intoxicated. It changes them forever. Once a child alters himself
with chemicals, childhood vanishes. A national study by the Center on
Addiction and Substance Abuse says more teenagers are in rehab for
marijuana than any other intoxicant, including alcohol.

Society needs to rethink its strategy on intoxicants in general. If
marijuana can help those suffering with debilitating diseases, then
doctors should have the power to prescribe it and licensed pharmacies
should carry it.

But storefront "clinics" run by irresponsible adults who are aided by
corrupt doctors are a joke only a confirmed stoner would find funny.

Bottom line: Be careful what you vote for. Compassion can easily turn
into chaos.