By: Leonard Krivitsky, MD, DD

Leonard Krivitsky, MD, DD — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:10:39 +0000

I strongly believe that before any important decision is made, the facts must be learned well. Yesterday on CNN I saw the “Chairman” of California Narcotic Officers Association advocating against marijuana decriminalization. I am not trying to interfere in this important vote by California residents, although I do believe that imprisoning people for inhaling the smoke of the dried natural plant is medieval. However, when someone comes to CNN in order to deceive and intimidate, I have to speak out. The narcotics officer warned of a possible increase in crime rate if marijuana is decriminalized. The prestigious Substance Abuse: A Comprehensive Textbook, 4-th Edition states directly and unequivocally on page 267 that cannabis use suppresses, instead of inciting, a violent crime. This is, of course, the action directly opposite from the action of alcohol. The voters might also be concerned with the so-called “gateway” theory, according to which marijuana use leads to harder drugs. This “theory” has been by now completely discredited by the science of Addiction Medicine, for if the “theory” were true, we all would have become drug addicts long time ago after we tasted a drink, inhaled a cigarette smoke or even drank a cup of sweet coffee. The so-called “gateway” theory is a complete fantasy, and I am sure there are enough Addiction Medicine physicians in California to stress this point, they don’t need me for that. Another fear that is fostered by the opponents is that “marijuana is addictive”. Really? Its addiction potential is only 3% compared with 10% for alcohol and about 21% for opiates, both “legal”, such as morphine, and illegal, such as heroin. In fact, heroin is metabolized in the human body to none other than morphine. There has not been one single case of fatal marijuana overdose, and neither is there a documented physical withdrawal. I could go on and on, but this is not a book, this is a comment, but I will strive in the future to try to bring scientific facts into discussions, so that people not be mislead or unnecessarily intimidated.

Comments on: MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION ON CALIFORNIA BALLOT

By: Leonard Krivitsky, MD, DD