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1. Name: Stephen Sidney, M.D., M.P.H.  
2. Title: Associate Director for Clinical Research, Kaiser-Permanente
3. Medical Marijuana
Position:		 Pro to the question "Should marijuana be a medical option?"
4. Reasoning:

" ...relatively few adverse clinical health effects from the chronic use of marijuana have been documented in humans. The criminalization of marijuana itself may expose the consumer to violence and criminal activity. While reducing the prevalence of drug abuse is a laudable goal, we must recognize that marijuana use is widespread despite the long-term, multibillion dollar War on Drugs. Therefore, medical guidelines regarding its prudent use should be established, akin to the commonsense guidelines that apply to alcohol use." (4/97)

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:
  • Led 15 year study on marijuana use and mortality at Kaiser Permanente
  • Published approximately 100 papers on epidemiology and preventative medicine
7. Education:
  • M.D. - Stanford Medical School, 1976
  • M.P.M. - University of California, Berkeley
  • B.A. - Yale University
8. Relevant Affiliations/Honors: None
9. Contact Info:
Phone: None listed Fax: None listed
E-Mail:   sxs@dor.kaiser.org
Web Site: www.kaiserpermanente.org
10. Other: None
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