ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 1999--Support for Maine's proposed medical excuse marijuana initiative is stalled this week, as several notable organizations have denounced the measure as flawed.

Under the proposed amendment, marijuana cigarettes would be available as ``medicine'' for anyone, including children and prison inmates, for virtually any ailment.

(Marijuananews note: Notice their use of the word "cigarettes" – even though medical marijuana can be used in a variety of other ways. Of course, the word "cigarette" carries negative connotations. Also notice that they say that it could be used for "virtually any ailment" even though the Maine initiative listed the disorders for which it could be used.)

The most prominent opponents of the measure include Governor Angus S. King, Jr., Maine Medical Association, Maine Pharmaceutical Association, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Maine Sheriffs Association, Maine Chiefs of Police Association, Christian Civic League of Maine, Christian Coalition of Maine, Drug Free America Foundation and Save Our Society From Drugs.

"This initiative is bad for Maine because marijuana cigarettes have not been proven as a valid treatment for any medical condition,'' states Calvina Fay, the executive director of the Drug Free America Foundation, a non-profit organization specializing in educating the public about drug use, drug abuse and drug policy issues. "This initiative implies patients would be required to obtain a prescription from their doctor to smoke marijuana as a ''medicine." In fact, no such requirement is written into this proposed law.''

(Marijuananews note: Actually, the initiative wording makes clear that no prescription is required, because that would be illegal under Federal law and it would be meaningless at this point because there is no way to fill such a prescription. But what’s truth got to do with it?)

Critics warn that the lack of established dosage controls or safety guidelines harm patients who are truly ill and need scientifically researched and tested medications. As the measure is written, patients will be permitted to skip visits to the doctor and pharmacist by diagnosing themselves and growing their own "medicine.''

See
Officially Recommended Doses Of FDA Approved Medicines Often Too High;
Can Have Fatal Consequences – Context for Medical Marijuana Debate

"The more important issue is that many safe and effective medications preclude the need for marijuana as well as pure THC,'' said Dr. Eric Voth of Drug Strategy International.
See
NORML Special Bulletin -- IOM Acknowledges:
"There is no clear alternative for people suffering from chronic conditions
that might be relieved by smoking marijuana, such as pain or AIDS wasting."
But Still Opposes Smoked Marijuana --

"Suggesting that marijuana be smoked as a medicine would be like proposing tobacco be used for anxiety or weight control or smoking the foxglove plant to treat heart failure.''

"The primary directive from the physician's oath is to do no harm,'' said physician and Maine State Representative Thomas Shields.

(Marijuananews note: Precisely! Is having their patients arrested doing them no harm? Organized medicine has betrayed its patients.)
See
Drug Czar’s Office Endorses Arresting, Jailing Medical Marijuana Smokers;
Canada’s Parliament Resumes Historic Medical Marijuana Debate -- NORML Press Release

"The immediate danger is that sick people will use marijuana in lieu of real medicine, have their symptoms masked by the psychoactive effects of the drug, and return to legitimate treatment too late to be helped. Prescribing/recommending a crude, smoked psychoactive weed for conditions for which we already have excellent legitimate medicines would seem to be bad medicine.''
(Marijuananews note: This is sheer quackery. Marijuana is used for symptomatic relief, not for treatment, as the doctor should know. Why would anyone use an illegal medicine if the quacks could stop their suffering?)
See
Column By Authors of the IOM Report On Medical Marijuana
Shows Why The Public Does Not Trust The Medical Establishment –
And Why They Should Not! With Analysis by Richard Cowan

"Marijuana is just another intoxicant, like alcohol,'' states Maine Representative Henry Joy, who says this initiative troubles him as a father and grandfather. ``It also has drug effects like alcohol and other intoxicants. However, no ethical physician would prescribe booze for depression or pain.''
(Marijuananews note: Nonsense, but is he in favor of making alcohol illegal?)
See
DEA Agent Kills His Partner In "an alcohol-induced phychotic episode."
Gets Only 15 Years for Murder.
Well, It Isn’t As Though He Had Done Something Serious, Like Growing Marijuana!
We Couldn’t Make This Up!

With more that 400 chemicals in crude marijuana, many of which are known carcinogens, several highly respected national health institutions have also rejected marijuana as a "medicine.'' Among them, the American Medical Society, Maine Medical Society, International Federation of Multiple Sclerosis, American Glaucoma Society and American Academy of Ophthalmology.
See
Medical Community United In Support Of Medical Marijuana Reform 
-- NORML Foundation NEWS ALERT

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