Californian Doctors Want Marijuana Legalized
The California Medical Assn. officially recommended the legalization and regulation of weed on October 15th 2011. This is great news for users (medical or otherwise) all over the United States and Canada. If California finally legalizes pot it will open the door for other medical marijuana states and for states that don’t have medical marijuana programs yet.
The doctors are stating that they need pot legalized so they can have more control over dosages and so they can do more research. There are few places that will do testing on weed because of federal laws. Weed is in the same illegal drug category as cocaine and heroin. They want to do more studies so they can figure out exactly what it is in marijuana that helps patients. This will help with recomending dosages.
Another reason they are pushing for legalization is money. If regulated properly it would mean millions in revenues and tax dollars. It would save 66 million in tax dollars that is lost annually because of weed related incarcerations.
The report is called the “white paper”and is fourteen pages long. This report has some up in arms, including the Covina Police Chief Kim Raney, who is also the vice president of the California Police Chiefs Assn. “It’s probably one of the most irresponsible, disgraceful position papers I’ve ever read.” He was also quoted as saying the CMA should be called the Cannabis Medical Assn.
Too bad for him both the public and doctors are leaning towards legalization. While there are some questions about negative side effects of cannabis use, most believe they are minor compared to the benefits. Some of these side effects can also be eliminated or minimized by using a vaporizer to inhale the pot.
Legalization would also open the door for more widespread use of other parts of the hemp plant. This other material can be used to make clothing, twine, paper and other products. Sadly in this day and age there are very few plants where every part is used.