Mad at Ad

I am outraged at the appearance of a four-page color supplement supporting cannabis inserted in the December 29 Independent. Placing a journalistic/scientific travesty in the middle of a supposed legitimate factual newspaper reflects a huge lapse in journalistic responsibility. This “advertisement,” apparently paid for by “Santa Barbara Medicinal Cannabis Education Services,” presents cannabis as a treatment for breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, prostate cancer, staph infections, lung cancer, intestinal tumors, and binge drinking, and as an inducer of increased brain tissue growth! The new wonder drug! Of course some of this was observed only in rats!

This is a shameful misuse of scientific/medical journalism. Let’s have some comments from local scientific/medical experts on the nonsense in this skewed presentation. Apparently our city has become the focus for marijuana legalization. This may have begun the day, years ago, when our newly elected mayor gave the keynote address at the hemp festival in De la Guerra Plaza as her first official act. This city needs to hear a legitimate presentation from experts – not from purveyors of marijuana. One need only watch the hearings at City Council or the Planning Commission to see the effects of cannabis/marijuana. It’s a zoo!

I would also like to see the names of who paid for this silly journalism and know their positions in this advertising effort. Speak up, legitimate academics and physicians! Give us the true facts as accepted by the medical and scientific professions!