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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW More thunderstorms expected tonight in Rogue Valley ... Annual OLLI open house Friday offers opportunities for learners ... Flash flooding washes through downtown Ashland ... More thunderstorms expected tonight in Rogue Valley ... Annual OLLI open house Friday offers opportunities for learners ... Flash flooding washes through downtown Ashland ... OUR VIEW Our View: Keep pot programs separate Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Feb. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Feb. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News We agree with the sentiments of those who told a state committee meeting in Ashland last week that Oregon's medical marijuana system should not be overly integrated with the soon-to-be legal use of recreational marijuana. There are obviously different motivations between the two groups of users and potentially very different futures for the two programs. So while some common oversight makes sense, it also makes sense to leave them on largely separate tracks. Oregon's medical marijuana system is far from perfect: Too many medical cards were given out for paper-thin "symptoms" and too many growers wound up crossing the line in how much marijuana they could grow or who they could deliver it to. But the system also provides a true medical  treatment for people suffering from chronic pain, cancer and other ailments. Those patients would be better served if the programs are kept separate. There are two reasons that recreational and medical marijuana programs may have different futures. First, recreational pot is more likely to wind up in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors if there is a change in direction in Washington, D.C. While both types of marijuana use are technically illegal in the eyes of the federal government, it seems less likely that the feds would go after medical users if there is a crackdown on the states. Secondly, medical marijuana at some point will be recognized by the feds as a legitimate medicine and will be absorbed into mainstream medical practices. That can happen more easily if the program is separate from recreational use.   DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Feb. 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501