In 2010 Arizona’s so-called “medical” marijuana initiative passed by a thin margin of 4,300 votes (out of 1.8 million votes cast). Proponents pulled at voters’ heart strings as they personified their cause parading terminally ill patients in the media.

Unfortunately, this initiative was a “Trojan Horse” exploiting the terminally ill for marijuana legalization. As predicted, Arizona’s program is abused by recreational users.

Any benefits to the few participants in the marijuana program who are seriously ill are overwhelmingly outweighed by the harm to our kids and communities.

Of the more than 36,000 cardholders, fewer than 2 percent get their marijuana for cancer.

In Arizona, 24 doctors have written more than 30,000 marijuana recommendations.

“Medical” marijuana is being diverted to teens. A recent Arizona study shows one in nine teens gets their marijuana from a “medical” marijuana patient.

Arizona’s health director acknowledges recreational users exploit the program. He acknowledged that health resources were used for the marijuana program rather than more pressing health issues and admits “in medical marijuana, the payoff was not profound.”

After three years of legal chaos, Rep. John Kavanagh has introduced a bill, now pending in the Arizona Legislature, to refer a measure to the 2014 ballot that will give Arizona voters the chance to repeal the “medical” marijuana initiative.