Guam - Guam Medical Association President-elect Dr. Thomas Sheih is weighing-in now on the debate involving decriminalizing the use of marijuana on Guam. The effort is being seriously considered by Senator Rory Respicio, who may introduce legislation to this effect.

The physician said, "I think medical marijuana has its uses for certain illnesses especially for people suffering from premenstrual syndrome or nausea and vomiting, those types of issues, or glaucoma.  But certainly to legalize marijuana islandwide, not just for medicinal but for recreational uses, I don't think that's a good idea."

Senator Respicio is considering introducing legislation similar to the Cannabis Act of California which will be on the statewide November ballot or after the recently introduced legislation by Saipan representative Stanley Torres, called the Legalization of Marijuana Act of 2010.

Senator Respicio says he supports decriminalizing marijuana for economic and medicinal reasons, telling KUAM News, "I think Senator Respicio needs to think about this a little closer because I know he's thinking of financial aspects of this, but if you are going to legalize that, then what makes you think it will end there, you may as well legalize methamphetamines or any other type of drug."