cannabisnews.com: Do Not Waste Taxpayers' Dollars!





Do Not Waste Taxpayers' Dollars!
Posted by FoM on June 21, 1999 at 15:12:01 PT
By Rep. John L. Mica 
Source: Roll Call On Line
Spending more hard-earned, taxpayer dollars on additional study of the legalization of marijuana, or any other illegal narcotic, strikes me as an unconscionable waste of taxpayer dollars.
This ploy has been used by the pro-legalization lobby to create a detour from the drug war, and is another liberal folly and morally indefensible idea. If this sounds harsh, let me offer seven sound arguments to support this position. First, the hard science has already been done. Smoking marijuana has no scientific benefit and only serious medical downsides. There are the substantial, credible, mid-1990s studies that show smoked pot degrading and destroying key brain functions, done by Dr. Peter Waser at the University of Zurich; Dr. John Gately and his associates at the Brookhaven National Laboratory; Dr. Roger Pertwee of the Institute of Medical Sciences at Aberdeen; and Dr. Eliot Gardner of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. There is the excellent study by Dr. Loren Miller on the "acute effects on human memory" of marijuana; the widely reported study on THC-induced aggression by Dr. Klaus Miczek of Carnegie-Mellon University; and the study by Dr. Edward Domino of the University of Michigan on the damage done to the brain's "neocortex." There are voluminous studies, produced even in the past several years, showing severe damage to male and female reproductive systems, such as Dr. Herbert Schuel and his colleagues' study on "cannabinoid receptors in sperm"; Dr. Arthur Zimmerman's study on effects on "spermatogenesis;" and Dr. Jack Mendelson and his colleagues' study on "marijuana effects on pituitary and gonadal hormones in women." There are additional studies confirming damage by marijuana smoking to the immune system, undercutting any argument of marijuana for AIDS. Among these studies are those done by Dr. Thomas Kline; Dr. Harris Rosenkrantz; Dr. Guy Cabral; Dr. William and Sandra Bennett; Dr. Donal Kotlet; and Dr. Joseph Timpone. There is also a plethora of hard science demonstrating that pot has minimal benefit for pain; can undercut cancer treatment; can produce lung damage, heart damage and birth defects; and offers little in the way of meaningful pain relief. In short, pot has been studied more than any Schedule One substance. Second, for those who are wedded to THC, there already exists a THC-based, non-narcotic prescription medicine. If there are any non-narcotic benefits from the THC in marijuana, they are available in tablet form. That prescription medicine is marinol, which, while addictive and psychotropic, evades the devastating side effects of smoked pot. While there are dozens of pain relievers that work better than marinol, from percoset to ibuprofen, those who want the satisfaction of saying they use THC can readily seek it through a doctor. Third, the economics of marijuana legalization will not work for pot -- or any other narcotic.The reasons are elementary. Start with price elasticity. A luxury is something we do not need, and thus, as price increases, we choose to buy less of it: cruises to the Bahamas, or fine wine. A necessity is something we need, like food and gasoline. As prices rise, we still buy the needed basics. The trick with narcotics is that they start out as a luxury -- with high elasticity of demand; they quickly become a necessity, with a low elasticity of demand. The result is a trap, one that kids and adults would both be vulnerable to if the government began making drugs widely available. First-time use by choice would soon become a need leading to addiction, and the economics of drug use would produce an ever-increasing block of sick, depressed and addicted Americans. Fourth, drugs and crime are inherently linked. Drugs trigger aggressive and irrational behaviors. For this reason, until the government gives away 100 percent pure drugs for free to all who want them, there will always be a black market for more pure drugs. There will also be drug-related physical and property crime. Making drugs legal -- in any form -- may lower the number of acts considered illegal, but it won't change much else. Fifth, sanctioning pot smoking for any purpose is a slippery slope. It opens the door to wider use of the substance, and that fact is not missed by the wealthy promoters of drug legalization. Viewing pot as medicine, not unlike aspirin or Advil, lends itself too easily to the follow-on idea that it should be available to all. This, of course, is the main hope of those who champion pot use for select segments of society -- first you take the hill, then you take the town. Reality is different, ask the 85 percent of Americans who worry about their kids and drugs. The negative health impact of marijuana itself is just the tip of the iceberg. Marijuana smoking is a swirling current above a more dangerous precipice. It hooks the child, sets the bar low for obeying law and swings wide the gate to a faster current. Not far down that current, there is an undefined point of no return for many kids. Those swept into drug use through officially sanctioned pot, would be more likely to crash over an edge -- with an overdose on heroin; cocaine; crack; methamphetamine; ecstacy; PCP; GHB, known for its use as a data-rape drug; and similar drugs. I have met with too many parents who have lost sons and daughters to heroin, and confide that their children's drug use began with pot. No one can bring those kids back. We know the risks that attend pot use, and where encouraging such use can lead. Perhaps that is why we should ask: Why would anyone in his or her right mind advocate legalization, or create any imprimatur of legitimacy for dope use under any circumstances? The moral argument has other dimensions. If marijuana seldom kills by overdose, it triggers attitude and personality changes, opening a different gate. It legitimates use of drugs that -- while they may not kill -- do maim, physically and emotionally. Pot use at an early age correlates to greater likelihood of inhalant use that produces brain damage, as well as abuse of stimulants, depressants, prescription medicines and other risky behaviors. Should the government be in the business of studying how to legitimize such a life-degrading substance? Sixth, drugs that change one's mental state -- even those that relieve pain -- diminish the individual's free will. They create psychological and physical dependencies. They take from the individual -- whether child or adult -- the free will that animated one's first decision. Now, consider studying the idea of putting the government into the business of how best to do that -- specifically, how to do it with currently illegal narcotics. Doesn't venturing down this path sound a lot like entering George Orwell's fictional account of where America might go? Seventh, drug use -- even for those who embrace it as the great escape from living with this life's soul-enhancing struggles -- is not a victimless crime. It is not a victimless act. It is an act that carries implications for all those who know and love, are related to and interacting with the user. I have sat with parents who are losing and who have lost those that they gave their entire lives to raise. I have seen the data on drug-related overdoses, suicides, murders, traffic fatalities and emergency-room incidents. I have seen the precious bond between parent and child, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren rent and torn by drug abuse.In my own district, a recent heroin overdose ended the life of a young man with a lovely, happy, little 4-year-old boy. How do you explain to that little boy, whose father started drug use lightly, that his life will never be the same again? Or that some people think drug use should be studied and promoted? We have conducted hearings on this topic. Conducting additional studies on how to legalize any Schedule One illegal narcotic -- especially one that leads to so much physical and emotional pain in the lives of the users and those who love them -- is simply not necessary and not a prudent use of taxpayer dollars. Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla.) is chairman of the Government Reform subcommittee on criminal justice, drug policy and human resources.Just a note:Please don't shoot the messenger!
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Comment #14 posted by dave on March 22, 2000 at 05:05:21 PT:
my opinion is different.
Muana is not a drug. It helps me with my daily activities and work. Second of all, there are many useful things made out of the plant itself. Such as rope, paper, and oil. All of high quality. More people smoke pot then you will probley ever imagine, even your own father, mine does. You guys dont know what your talkin about. SENSI IS THE HEALING OF THE NATION. SCREW YOU IF YA DONT LIKE IT. IT WILL BE LEGAL SOMEDAY, WAIT 
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Comment #13 posted by Angelia Brown on June 23, 1999 at 07:12:24 PT:
This Is Our Government Saying.........
Hey, look how stupid we are!
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Comment #12 posted by frank l. cowsert, jr on June 22, 1999 at 22:04:50 PT:
short retraction
my apologies to FoM...i should have known the note at the end would have been completely out of character for rep. mica...it would show too much self honesty..otherwise, my comments stand...thank you...
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Comment #11 posted by frank l. cowsert, jr on June 22, 1999 at 21:50:30 PT:
this guy has an agenda..but not american's freedom
rep. mica's comments are so misleading, untrue and twisted as to be laughable...his comment on "gateway" drugs fails to mention tobacco and alcohol..(large contributors maybe?)my experiences with drugs started in my early teens with those 2 substances...both of which i became addicted to for many years...substance abuse is a DISEASE...to be treated, not incarcerated...  ask any physician what the most effective analgesic substance known is, most will mention heroin... the fact that it is not available to the terminally ill is a crime, and those responsible for withholding this "wonder drug" from the terminally ill (like rep. mica) should be tried and imprisoned...  i don't blame rep. mica for asking people not to shoot him at the end of his essay..he knows he is committing a huge diservice to his fellow americans purely for financial reasons..(i can't believe he is truly that uninformed.)
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on June 22, 1999 at 09:48:36 PT:
Except's From Dr. Lester Grinspoon Web Site!
I can't find any negative comments from Doctors but here are a few reasons why marijuana helps sick people!Chemotherapy:http://www.rxmarihuana.com/excerpts.htm#FROM DR.Osteoarthritis:http://www.rxmarihuana.com/excerpts.htm#OSTEOARTHRITISPre-Menstrual Syndrome:http://www.rxmarihuana.com/excerpts.htm#PREMENSTRUALBi-Polar and Manic Depressive Disorder:http://www.rxmarihuana.com/excerpts.htm#BIPOLARPseudotumor Cerebri:http://www.rxmarihuana.com/excerpts.htm#PSEUDOTUMORDiabetic Gastroparesis:http://www.rxmarihuana.com/excerpts.htm#DIABETICMarijuana & Aging:http://www.rxmarihuana.com/excerpts.htm#MARIHUANA
My Medical Marijuana Page
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Comment #9 posted by Tim Budd on June 22, 1999 at 08:49:42 PT:
The researchers?
He references various doctors as finding various results. I am trying to locate some of these reports, if anyone can find them please post them here or email me. I found some quotes from Dr. Pertwee:Dr Roger Pertwee, Secretary of the International Cannabis ResearchSociety and the UK's pre-eminent cannabis expert, sees himself as occupyingthe middle ground on the cannabis debate. "Cannabis does seem to be aseffective, if not better, than existing drugs in dealing with spasticity andbladder problems of multiple sclerosis. The side-effects seem to be moretolerable for some patients," he says. "Clinical trials have all backedcannabis in being able to, not cure, but suppress some of the symptons.Migraine could well be another case." As a recreational drug, alongside nicotine, alcohol and even caffeine,Dr Pertwee concedes that cannabis compares favourably. No human fatalities haveas yet been recorded as a result of marijuana. Withdrawal symptons have beenreported in long-term chronic users in Jamaica and Costa Rica, but they do notappear to be dependent in the damaging sense that others are to, say, alcoholand tranquillisers.www.lycaeum.org/drugs/plants/cannabis/medicine%2CmanIt appears that Dr pertwee would not support Mica's assertions.
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Comment #8 posted by Freedom Fighter on June 22, 1999 at 06:08:19 PT
Mica is a liar and a hypocrite...
He uses the bait and switch technique to lump cannabis with narcotic drugs when in fact it is not a narcotic. Then he switches to problems related to much more dangerous drugs, i.e., herion and cocaine, and cannabis is guilty by association - not by facts.He should go back to college and be required to take economics 101. Drug crime is a result of prohibition not the drugs themselves, does he think that alcohol caused the crime problems that occured in the twenties.  Look at how other more progressive countries are dealing with this and their crime problem. Holland is a virtual paradise compared to the United States and our crime problem. Ultimately prohibition is not about drugs, it is about personal freedom and our right to do as we wish with our bodies. Mica wants to continue supporting the prison and the drug enforcment industry despite the fact that this is destroying our rights and the constitution. It is time for a change.
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Comment #7 posted by Jeaneous on June 21, 1999 at 22:25:41 PT:
Gladly...
Please feel free to post that letter... and NORML is fine as a link. Thanks FoM.  :} Just hoping Mr. Mica will read it. 
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on June 21, 1999 at 19:59:06 PT:
Excellent!
Hello Jean,In the morning I would like to post your rebuttal on the front page. It is very good! If that is OK with you do you have a favorite link for the click on link at the top of the page? If you don't I'll use Norml if that is ok but any site you want is fine with me.Please post a response if you read this!Thank You, FoM!
My Current News & Activist's Page
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Comment #5 posted by Jeaneous on June 21, 1999 at 19:25:29 PT:
My Letter to Mica
Sir,I am amazed that you call yourself a representative of the people of the United States in any manner. I have been reading your comments and I am sickened by the way you manipulate and twist issues that are before you.I am in favor of medicinal marijuana and I can not believe the statements that you have made. The fact that you make a statement that marijuana is not a medicine after the Institute of Medicine has supplied a report saying it does have medicinal value is insulting. Are you a physician? Are you a scientist? What qualifies you to make a statement like that?You talk about reading Orwell's 1984... I suggest that you read it and look at the turns our country has been taking. We have video cameras on us in various places some even infringing on personal privacy, we have had our right to be searched basically removed, our homes are invaded by officers claiming to be fighting crime. It seems to me that if anyone is being subjected to "Big Brother" it is the citizens of the United States. Daily we see you, our representatives voting our rights out from under us claiming it is in the best interest of the "country". This country was built based on personal freedoms and rights and from what I hear come out of your mouth, I would say you have your own personal agenda and could care less about individuals rights and freedoms. The direction your views and opinions are leading us is into a military state. Do you want to be a part of that? Have your name go down in history being one who lead us there?I, sir, If I lived in your state, would move rapidly out of there, for you would certainly not be representing my opinions. I would love to see how your state would vote reguarding this issue. Have you asked them? Or are you doing as so many representatives are, once elected into office, forgetting the constituents that put you there and speaking your own personal views and opinions for your political gain.This country does have a drug problem but time has shown that the tactics that you and others like yourself (Barry McCaffrey) have taken have been ineffective and have only caused drugs to become more available at a lesser price than before your "War on Drugs". Filling prisons with people that choose to put those drugs in their bodies is a crime as bad if not worse than the person that does the drugs. You waste millions and millions of dollars building more prisons to hold non-violent offenders, instead of providing drug treatment programs. That sounds to me that you are a part of the problem instead of part of the solution.Barry McCaffrey has backed up since the idea of adding anti-alcohol ads to his program. He states it would distract from the impact of drug education. I would say the alcohol is the most widely abused drug, most deadly drug, and a drug that has no merit other than getting buzzed, but nobody wants to touch that issue for fear of offending the alcohol companies that contribute so much financial aid to politicians. How much do you receive from them? It should be available to the public just how much money they pay you to stay out of their business.In short, representatives like you, make me fear that our freedoms given to us by our Constitution and Bill of Rights are in great danger. I can only hope that your constituents see how dangerous your direction is and decide it is time to take action in another direction.May God guide you in a more compassionate manner,Jean Cowsert
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on June 21, 1999 at 18:33:17 PT:
Hard To Believe!
What people like this lack is one of the most important elements in life and it's having a heart! I really would like to see one truly honest politican that refuses to compromise when cornered like they are. One that would stand up at all costs win or lose but stand on a principle!
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Comment #3 posted by buddah on June 21, 1999 at 18:06:07 PT:
What an ignorant idiot!
The delusional fervor of prohibitionists never ceases to amaze me!! I think prohibitionism is actually a form of dimensia. Think about it, the more evidence that enters the public domain which contradicts the "Marijauna is the DEVIL's WEED" philisophy, the more prohibitionists rationalize their delusions both publicly and in their own minds I'm sure....Perhaps if all of the prohibitionist members of government were subject to psychological testing they be deemed unfit to lead because they'd be diagnosed as suffering from a form of schizophrenia....PROHIBITIONism!!
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Comment #2 posted by Tim Budd on June 21, 1999 at 17:31:35 PT:
Poor Economics
This man needs to attend some low-level economics classes, and needs to read Orwell. Perhaps even more importantly the individuals who voted for him need to have their head examined. Apparently he can somehow ignore the victims, the loved ones of those whose lives are destroyed when members of their family are sent to jail and condemned to unemployment or low-level jobs at best. Do you think he actually believes his own arguement?
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Comment #1 posted by r.earing on June 21, 1999 at 15:29:12 PT:
world class thinking
What planet are you from? This exceeds even Gen.Mcafferys' paranoid dementia.Americans must band together to get this dangerous nut removed as soon as possible.It's time for another "Boston Tea Party", if this is the kind of representative you are stuck with. Shame on them all.
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