Re-legalizing Marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes. Why should we?

The title should say it all…A lot of people are anticipating bringing medical marijuana to Florida. Since this is primarily political blog, then it is more relevant than knowing the Rev. Bill Keller’s current rantings.  Here are some facts and myths that have been found by actual scientific studies.

Myth: Marijuana Can Cause Permanent Mental Illness. Among adolescents, even occasional marijuana use may cause psychological damage. During intoxication, marijuana users become irrational and often behave erratically.

Fact: There is no convincing scientific evidence that marijuana causes psychological damage or mental illness in either teenagers or adults. Some marijuana users experience psychological distress following marijuana ingestion, which may include feelings of panic, anxiety, and paranoia. Such experiences can be frightening, but the effects are temporary. With very large doses, marijuana can cause temporary toxic psychosis. This occurs rarely, and almost always when marijuana is eaten rather than smoked. Marijuana does not cause profound changes in people’s behavior.

• Iverson, Leslie. “Long-term effects of exposure to cannabis.”Current Opinion in Pharmacology 5(2005): 69-72.

• Weiser and Noy. “Interpreting the association between cannabis use and increased risk of schizophrenia.” Dialogues in Clincal Neuroscience 1(2005): 81-85.

• “Cannabis use will impair but not damage mental health.” London Telegraph. 23 January 2006.

• Andreasson, S. et al. “Cannabis and Schizophrenia: A Longitudinal study of Swedish Conscripts,” The Lancet 2 (1987): 1483-86.

• Degenhardt, Louisa, Wayne Hall and Michael Lynskey.  “Testing hypotheses about the relationship between cannabis use and psychosis,” Drug and Alcohol Dependence 71 (2003): 42-4.

• Weil, A. “Adverse Reactions to Marijuana: Classification and Suggested Treatment.” New England Journal of Medicine 282 (1970): 997-1000.

Gov. Crist Vetos HB 1143

You can read the veto letter here. 

http://www.flgov.com/leg_actions/2010/2010_hb1143.pdf

I know this is going to spark, yet another abortion debate. Since I am sure Kay is a supporter of Rubio. Which I would like her to post her thoughts on the Florida Senate Candidate Rubio in a seperate post. But this is another example of a civil servant, doing his civic duty. I believe his reasons are valid, that growing the governments role too fast will end badly. I do respect him for not letting his personal views get in the way of what is right for the citizens. We need someone like Governor Crist, in the Senate. Let’s make the first step away from the corrupt party system. Voters of Florida I will be voting for Gov. Crist as Florida’s first Independant Senator. I will be posting more and giving my opinions about his decisions as they come about.