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1.

 Name:

Richard Carmona, M.D., M.P.H.  

2.

 Title:

 U.S. Surgeon General, Vice Admiral

3.

 Medical Marijuana
Position:

 Con to the question Should smoked marijuana be a medical option now?

4.

 Reasoning:

"I cannot recommend to anyone that they smoke, first of all. Smoking is so bad for you. I can't say it would be safe to eat it, because no one has studied the long- or short-term gastrointestinal effects." (6/19/05)

5.

 Credibility
Ranking:

  Key Experts
Physicians [We believe physicians are the "key experts" in the medical marijuana debate because the issue is thought by many to be ultimately based on the medical value and risks of marijuana, and Physicians, with their training and clinical work, should (at least in theory) have the best knowledge of marijuana's medical value and risks.].

6.

 Involvement:
  • U.S. Surgeon General
  • Former professor of surgery, public health, community medicine at the University of Arizona
  • Former chairman, Arizona Southern Regional Emergency Medical System
  • Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
7.

 Education:
  • M.P.H. - 1998 - University of Arizona
  • M.D. - 1979 - U.C. San Francisco
  • B.S. - 1977 - U.C. San Francisco
  • A.A. - 1975 - Bronx Community College
8.

 Relevant Affiliations/Honors:
  • Reports to the Assistant Secretary for Health
  • Vice Admiral (VADM) in the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps
  • Former Pima County Sheriff's Department surgeon and deputy sheriff
9.

 Contact Info:
Phone: (301) 443-4000

Fax: None listed
E-Mail:   None listed

Web Site: www.surgeongeneral.gov
10.

 Other:

 None

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