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1. Name: Mark L. Kraus, MD  
2. Title: Former President of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine
3. Medical Marijuana
Position:		 Con to the question "Should marijuana be a medical option?"
4. Reasoning:

"Proponents of the legalization of medical marijuana create the impression that it is a reasonable alternative to conventional drugs. But unlike conventional drugs, smokable marijuana has not passed the rigorous scrutiny of scientific investigation and has not been found safe and effective in treating pain, nausea and vomiting, or wasting syndrome. [...] It has no credibility. It has not passed the rigors of scientific investigation. It has not demonstrated significant efficacy in symptom relief. And, it causes harm."
Feb. 26, 2007, Testimony to the Judiciary Committee in Hartford, Connecticut

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:
  • General Internist, Westside Medical Group, Waterbury, CT
  • Medical Director of Addiction Medicine, Waterbury Hospital, Waterbury, CT
  • Chief Medical Officer of Connecticut Counseling Centers, Danbury, CT
  • Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine
  • Former President of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine
  • Co-Chairman, Physician Education Task Force for Association of Medical Education and Research Substance Abuse (AMERSA)
  • Panelist, White House Leadership Conference on Medical Education in Substance Abuse
  • Member, Strategic Task Force ASAM
  • Member, Public Policy Committee ASAM
  • Member, Board of Directors American Society of Addiction, Primary Care
  • Member, Advisory Committee for the National Institute of Drug Abuse
7. Education:
  • MD, school unknown
8. Relevant Affiliations/Honors:
  • Certified, American Society of Addiction Medicine, Addiction Medicine Specialist
  • Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine
9. Contact Info:
Phone: 203-755-4577 Fax: None found
E-Mail: marklk@cox.net
Web Site: Profile
10. Other: None found
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