WATCHDOG: What are the editors smoking?

The Watchdog cannot treat the New Era editorial “Medical marijuana ill-advised for Pa.” in the usual format because it contains such an abundance of inaccuracies and misperceptions. So the old dog, who has spent two decades as a drug policy and harm reduction reform activist, shall respond interlineally below. For reliable government studies and peer reviewed articles on Medical Marijuana, visit Drug War Facts.com.

NE: “State lawmakers waded into uncharted waters last week with a committee hearing on legalizing the medical use of marijuana. We say “uncharted,” but lawmakers already should know where things are headed, if medical marijuana is approved by Pennsylvania.”

WD: Thirteen states have legalized medical marijuana and several others are in the process, including New Jersey.

NE: “Lawmakers no doubt are aware of the experience of California, the state at the forefront of medicinal use of marijuana. In 1996, California voters legalized medical marijuana by prescription, and it wasn’t long before medical-marijuana dispensing stores began cropping up all over the state.”

WD: To patronize a Medical Marijuana dispensary, permission must be obtained in writing from a licensed physician. Some have gamed the system, but a recently published peer review study by a retired pulmonary surgeon who has specialized in examining applicants provides evidence that even those who think they are cheating have, in fact, similar clinical histories and, without their knowledge, have been using marijuana to treat psychological needs.

NE: “In fact, pot is credited with reviving an entire section of Oakland, Calif., where classes are offered in ‘quality training for the cannabis industry’”.

 

WD: So what does the New Era have against capitalism and urban development? Oakland city leaders are thrilled with the jobs created and taxes raised around the burgeoning new industry.

NE: “Medical marijuana got a recent boost from the Obama Administration, which decided that it would no longer raid dispensing stores in California and the 12 other states that permit them. This, despite the fact that the federal prohibition of pot is supposed to trump state law.”

 

WD: With over 70% of the nation’s adult population favoring medical marijuana, the Obama administration recognizes the waste of resources, the denial of essential medication, and the thwarting of the public will in trying to enforce a senseless law. State laws against sexual relationships outside of marriage were ignored for half a century or longer before being removed either by courts or legislation.

NE: “In California, pot is being prescribed to people with cancer, HIV and glaucoma; with satisfactory results. But it also is going to people with less severe ailments, such as a knee sprain, slight back pain or the all-encompassing ‘stress.’”

 

WD: Does the New Era object to providing relief for ailments including stress? Of course, the pharmaceutical industry is terrified of this low-cost competitor to their expensive tranquilizers.

NE: “Pot is such big business that the California legislature is considering legalizing and taxing marijuana for everyone’s use, as a way to ease the state’s financial troubles.”

 

WD: It is correct that a significant portion of the citizenry in California and throughout the nation (about 40%) support taxation, regulation, and control of marijuana, but the issue under serious consideration at this time is restricted to the sale of medical marijuana through dispensaries.

NE: “Is this what Pennsylvanians want for their state? We don’t think so.”

WD: Why should Pennsylvanians be made to suffer when inexpensive and often unique relief could be made available? Would the New Era editors be so quick to condemn marijuana were a loved one suffering from multiple sclerosis or the effects of chemotherapy and could fine relief only through marijuana?

NE: “Under the proposed law, Pennsylvania would create a registry of patients who could buy limited amounts of pot for medicinal purposes with the authorization and supervision of doctors. State-licensed ‘compassion centers’ would grow and sell the marijuana.”

WD: This serves to provide a regulated means for distribution to those in need but also provides a legal way for providing marijuana.

NE: “Proponents say the bill would have sufficient protections to prevent an experience similar to California’s, but that’s doubtful. Once the door to legalization is open, it would be nearly impossible to close.”

WD: Yes, once a few retail stores were allowed to be open on Sunday, the “blue laws” were doomed to fail within years. The process is called democracy.

NE: “We don’t doubt that pot has certain medicinal benefits, and we are not unmoved by the plight of seriously ill people who are in constant pain. But a number of government-approved medications relieve pain in much the way that smoked marijuana relieves pain.”

 

WD: Patently false. If medicine were available to provide the same relief, there would not be tens of thousands of testimonial by grateful patients of the relief from pain and physical limitations and, in many cases, ability to once again to live a normal life.

NE: “At the same time, proponents ignore the possible ill effects of smoking pot. Marijuana smoke, after all, contains harmful chemicals.”

WD: Most cigarette smokers consume many times more cigarettes in a day than those smoking marijuana. However, there are a number of ways of ingesting marijuana, including edibles and steam.

NE: “Most of all, legalizing medical marijuana sends a mixed message, at best, to children if they are able to walk down any street in Pennsylvania and see pot shops.”

WD: Current policy is the mixed message. It is now legal to consume the far more dangerous alcoholic beverages, to smoke cigarettes, and to consume powerful medicine with potentially dangerous side effects. But it is illegal to consume the relatively benign marijuana.

NE: “Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana bill has little support. Only six members have signed on in the Democratic-controlled House and the Senate Republican majority caucus apparently has no plans to take up the issue. Even so, Gov. Ed Rendell says he would sign ‘a carefully written bill legalizing marijuana for medical purposes.” Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.’”

WD: Governor Rendell has always been enlightened when it comes to public health. The first legal syringe exchange in the state was created in Philadelphia in response to a “health emergency” while he was mayor.  Bravo to Rendell for having the courage to speak the convictions of 70% of the American public.