To the Editor:
On Dec. 26, 2007, Linda Williams published a well-researched article in the UDJ that examined the use of marijuana as medicine. Most of this article was information dealing with the ill effects of marijuana usage. On Feb. 22, 2008, Mr. Tiny Harris followed with a letter to the editor, again pointing out the very serious medical conditions affecting the heart, liver and lungs. And in truth these are serious medical conditions, bringing on hard times and situations that are costly. Since Ms. Williams’ article back in December there has not been one pro marijuana spokesperson that has written letters to refute our contradict what she had to say. Mr. Harris can wait until hell freezes over, and not one pro marijuana spokesperson will be able to contradict what he has learned, the awful truth about marijuana. That should tell the critical thinker something.
The Ukiah City Council and the Board of Supervisors have listened and steps are now in place to repeal Measure G in an attempt to bring some sanity and control back into our county. I applaud and commend their efforts. Since they have initiated those first steps, several letters have appeared in the UDJ asking that Measure G not be repealed. Some of these letters are almost in-your-face confrontations. All have been ridiculous. Each of those writers have identified themselves to the public as pro-marijuana spokespersons, and in doing so have demonstrated to the public that somehow they have a stake in marijuana and its usage. Who are these stakeholders and why should they care so much about marijuana? First, there is the legitimate medical marijuana-using patient. We all know they exist, and we share with their concern and welfare. Then there are the users and abusers that can’t seem to get enough. They started out as innocent experimenters and have found that the price for enlightenment is pretty high. Next is the dealer, grower, or profiteer that reaps a huge reward from the first two categories. It is this group that keeps marijuana going. It is this group that will kill to keep their profits coming in. Without this group, and their ever-ready supply to keep the first two categories going, marijuana would not be a problem. Then there is another rare category that may be present. That is the very rare case of altruism, in which someone mistakenly promotes the use of marijuana, not to profit, but acts as an enabler for someone else because they feel it helps.
Some of the letters to the editor have been written by the above marijuana stakeholders. Some writers have expressed their feelings that it will hurt the “Mom and Pop” growers. Who are the “Mom and Pop” growers? Are they growing something legal or illegal? And why should this stakeholder care? One writer has a concern that our children’s future will be destroyed if we repeal Measure G. She somehow feels that if we repeal Measure G, the children will become dope dealers. Is this type of thinking a product of enlightenment? Another writer feels that “Pot growers are the future!” Wow! If this is the future, medical science must start finding a way to perform brain transplants, we are all lost. Marijuana has been compared with growing grapes for alcohol (wine) consumption. The Bible does say that a little wine is good for the stomach. But it also states that wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging and whomever is fooled thereby is not wise. Some have written that “prohibition never works.” That was true concerning alcohol because alcohol products became known as “bathtub gin” and could be made in secret. Marijuana grows can be easily identified by those that want to find them. Even when grown inside and away from prying eyes the electrical or fuel bills will give them away.
As a medical doctor, what is my stake in being against the widespread use of marijuana? I have been a doctor for nearly forty years. During that time, I dedicated my life to alleviate human suffering. Now a plague is upon us and duty calls to action. Those diseases that Mr. Harris mentioned are real, not imaginary. They are to be fought by all members of the health profession. There can be no advocacy for marijuana. Marijuana is now being touted as a medicine, but even prescription medications are dangerous in the wrong hands. Marijuana, as a medicine, is not being controlled as a medicine, and it is in the wrong hands. A proper medical prescription will include the name of the patient, in some cases the age of the patient, the medication being prescribed, the strength or dosage, and the frequency or how many times per day the medication is to be taken. With marijuana, it is left up to the patient to determine how much marijuana is going to be used an how many times per day it is used. This is bad medicine. And it will eventually bite you, the taxpayer.
In my earlier letter to the Editor, “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” I demonstrated that 25 marijuana plants had a potential to generate $100,000 profit; 25 plants could generate as much as 50 pounds of product, at $2,000 per pound. Now, the question must be asked: if marijuana is to be used as a medicine, how much marijuana is required by the legitimate medical patient? Is it the whole 50 pounds that can be generated by the 25 plants? If so, that is nearly one pound per week, and it must be having a disastrous effect on that person. How many times per day would that person be smoking to use one pound per week? Do you see the problem: As a doctor, I see problems with uncontrolled marijuana usage even in a person that is a “legitimate” medical patient using marijuana. I would be willing to bet that the legitimate patient is not using as much marijuana as we may feel they are using. And the fake patient is using as much as they can, but no one is using 50 pounds per year. So where is all of this marijuana going? It is being used somewhere and somehow for profit.
I mentioned that as a taxpayer, you will eventually feel the bite from marijuana usage, whether it be legal or illegal. So why legalize it? It will cause all kinds of medical conditions, with long term use, that will require medical intervention. The person that has been using it long term and acquired the medical condition will not be paying the bill. Most likely, the will be on welfare. That means MediCal. The tax payer will be paying those medical bills. If an insurance company has to pay, you can bet that the rates will increase, so it is only a losing proposition if marijuana is left out of control. I am sorry, Mom and pop growers growers, I have no sympathy for you.
What are the solutions?
First step: repeal Measure G by voting for Measure B.
Second step: have the doctors determine how much marijuana is required by their patients.
Third step: pressure must be placed on those who sit in high office to find better medical alternatives for those legitimate patients that use marijuana. We must find better ways to give them hop and alleviate their suffering.
Fourth step: There must be an all-out war on all illegal drug substances that are robbing this nation of such great promise. There are drugs much worse than marijuana, but marijuana is often the gateway to the enlightenment that these drugs promise.
James Cruise, M.D.
Redwood Valley
Letters to the Editor
Monday, March 10, 2008
Ukiah Daily Jounal
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