News (Media Awareness Project) - US CA: Editorial: County Should Do More Research On Medicinal Marijuana |
Title: | US CA: Editorial: County Should Do More Research On Medicinal Marijuana |
Published On: | 2005-12-21 |
Source: | Daily Independent (Ridgecrest, CA) |
Fetched On: | 2008-01-14 20:47:15 |
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.
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.
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