cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Praised Despite Legal Issues Marijuana Praised Despite Legal Issues Posted by CN Staff on June 05, 2002 at 17:38:03 PT By Steve Mitchell, UPI Medical Correspondent Source: United Press International Marijuana appears to be very effective for treating pain and a variety of other conditions, particularly in patients who have not been helped by prescription drugs, its advocates claim, despite the debate about the legality of using the drug as a medication. "It's a very effective medication for many people who have failed to get good results from standard medications and that's why so many people are devoted to it and risking their lives and career to get this drug," Ethan Russo, a neurologist in private practice in Missoula, Mont., who has studied medicinal marijuana, told United Press International. Nine states -- Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington -- have legalized the drug for medicinal purposes, but the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has been raiding centers distributing the drug in California. This has resulted in patients, who the raids left unable to obtain marijuana, filing a lawsuit against DEA alleging the raids were unconstitutional. However, Adam Eidinger of Americans for Safe Access, which is organizing a protest at DEA offices around the country, told UPI he expects the decision, which could come as early as Thursday, to uphold the legality of the raids.Russo noted some of his patients use marijuana to treat symptoms associated with arthritis, multiple sclerosis and migraine. The drug is also useful for reducing nausea associated with chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer, wasting in AIDS patients, glaucoma and nausea associated with medications used to treat AIDS."I won't tell you that it's a panacea or that it is 100 percent effective," but many patients experience relief from their symptoms, Russo said. For example, many of his multiple sclerosis patients who have used marijuana "find it superior to any of the pharmaceuticals they have employed" and up to 80 percent of people who have tried it for migraines find it very effective." In addition, he said, "Many, many people get excellent results for treatment of glaucoma."Russo said the raids in California are depriving patients of beneficial medication and causing them "needless pain and suffering."Steve Gust, special assistant to the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, told UPI that NIDA is providing marijuana cigarettes to researchers to study its use in treating nerve pain associated with HIV infection, muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients, cancer pain and chemotherapy-induced nausea.Although the efficacy of medicinal marijuana is still under debate, Gust said the reason NIDA provided researchers with marijuana is there is some indication of a "potential benefit." NIDA's official position, however, is, "There may be some benefit to purified cannabinoids (the active components of marijuana) ... but that it's unlikely smoked marijuana will ever be an approved medication," Gust said.The reason for this, he noted, is it is very difficult to standardize marijuana as a plant and ensure each cigarette is delivering the same amount of active components. A more feasible method, Gust said, would be to single out the compounds in marijuana that appear to have beneficial effects and develop them as drugs. An oral medication called Marinol, which consists primarily of a compound found in marijuana called THC, is already on the market and in use for treating nausea due to chemotherapy, Gust said.Russo countered that he has "never had a patient who had tried both Marinol and smoked marijuana and preferred Marinol. "Many patients will get too high even if they use Marinol at the lowest dose," he said. When THC is taken orally it goes to the liver, which converts the chemical to a metabolite that is five to eight times more active than when it is smoked. In addition, smoked marijuana contains compounds that block the conversion of THC to the more active metabolite, he said.Most people who use marijuana as a medication smoke it, but it can also be eaten or converted to a tincture that can be placed under the tongue. There are some concerns about the negative consequences of smoking the drug. One way to avoid these consequences but still obtain the beneficial effects is to vaporize it, Russo said. In this method, a vaporizer is used to boil off THC and other active components without producing smoke.Addiction is not a problem with medical marijuana, Russo said. "Medical users do not elevate their dose ... and they do not experience withdrawal effects," he said. "A lot of responsible people use this as a medication."Russo recently conducted a study of medicinal marijuana's long-term effects in the seven patients who legally receive the drug under a federal program that stopped enrolling new patients in 1992. The patients, who had been taking marijuana for conditions including chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and glaucoma, have exhibited no signs of negative long-term effects on lungs, cognition or other areas, he said.Irvin Rosenfeld, 49, the longest living patient involved in the federal program, told UPI the drug has been "tremendously effective" for treating severe pain associated with his congenital condition that causes tumors to form on the ends of his bones.Rosenfeld, a stockbroker in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., who has been using marijuana as a medication for 31 years, said it has allowed him to discontinue the use of morphine, quaaludes and other drugs he previously required to alleviate the pain. Marijuana is the only medication he has used for the past 12 years aside from an occasional mild painkiller such as Vioxx or Celebrex. Although Rosenfeld obtains his marijuana from the government, he has at times had to resort to purchasing the drug on the street -- although the street variety is actually more potent than the government-grade, he said.Russo noted much of the medical community remains skeptical about the benefits of marijuana and "many doctors fear that if they discuss this with patients they'll be subjected to sanctions." In an ongoing case, Conant vs. McCaffrey, currently in the 9th circuit U.S. District Court in California, doctors filed suit against former drug Czar Barry McCaffrey. The doctors claim McCaffrey's public threat to revoke the DEA license of any physician who discussed marijuana treatments with his or her patients was unconstitutional.Despite the doubts in the medical community at large, Russo said he believes marijuana eventually will gain acceptance as a valid medication. "I think it's going to happen. Its just a question of 'when,' not 'if.'"Russo predicted "Within a year, licensed cannabis preparations will be available in Western Europe and Canada. If that occurs, I think the public will demand that it be made available here." From the Science & Technology DeskSource: United Press InternationalAuthor: Steve Mitchell, UPI Medical CorrespondentPublished: June 5, 2002Copyright 2002 United Press InternationalWebsite: http://www.upi.com/ Contact: http://www.upi.com/about/contact.cfmRelated Articles & Web Sites:Americans for Safe Access: http://safeaccessnow.org Cannabinoids in Pain Management: http://freedomtoexhale.com/drr.htmChronic Cannabis Use in PDF Format: http://freedomtoexhale.com/ccu.pdfMedical Marijuana Information Links: http://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htm Stop the War on Medical Marijuana: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13053.shtmlFed Records Show Focus on Pot Clubs: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13046.shtmlPatients Push Back After DEA Raids in Santa Rosa: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13016.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #17 posted by el_toonces on June 06, 2002 at 12:27:32 PT: Vaporizers I have used one vaporizer that works so well that, if I had one, I would never want to inhale particulate matter again. Unfortuantely, there is no U.S. production model yet, but I am going to see if the German manufacturer has any interest in using a U.S. based prototyping company to produce some for test marketing. They are expensive, but I would buy one of these German models right now if there were available. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Sam Adams on June 06, 2002 at 08:59:18 PT nice work Dr. Russo! Even got the vaporizer mention in there, great job. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by ekim on June 06, 2002 at 07:54:33 PT Ethan Russo may the force be with you Thank you for all you do. With the news that trial lawyers are eying cases against fast food, do you feel the time is right for Hemp oil to come of age. Seems to me if enought information can be brought to light about how deficent this food is and how our health is directly tied to what we eat a break thru can be made. Thanks FOM for all your work--mike [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by Jose Melendez on June 06, 2002 at 07:51:59 PT Buried truth grows. -jm. "...I was very surprised to see this today, since I just talked to this reporter several hours ago..."I hope we see lots more, and thank you so much for speaking out publicly, Dr. Russo. I read an article by Andrew Weil recently, and have been seeing other indications y(our) efforts to expose cannabis prohibition as fraud are working globally.Peace, Jose Melendezcheck this out, from: http://www.washtimes.com/national/inpolitics.htmOf cows and causeIt took only a few hours of irate calls to turn the State Department around. Yesterday, Washington Times columnist Tony Blankley drew attention to the doltish behavior of an Africa-based American diplomat who bungled his mission.When a remote Masai village recently learned of the September 11 attacks, tribesmen decided to send 14 of their finest sacred cows to the United States as a token of their sympathy. Overlooking the generosity and decorum of the gesture, the diplomat took the cows but told the Masai they would be sold, according to a New York Times account. It was just too "difficult" to transport them, he said.An incensed Mr. Blankley suggested readers call the State Department and protest this ham-handed treatment, even offering the phone number. So readers called. And they called. And they called.With remarkable haste, the State Department reversed course. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by 2Spooky on June 06, 2002 at 07:31:45 PT Good Story :) Great job on getting good comments into the UPI! =) [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Nuevo Mexican on June 06, 2002 at 06:43:53 PT Way to go Dr. Russo! Thank you for spreading the truth about the miracle 'plant' Cannabis! Truly amazing this gift from the Creator of all that is! Can't keep a good plant down! [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by kanabys on June 06, 2002 at 05:21:27 PT vaporizers I am so glad that vaporizers are finally starting to be mentioned as a healthy alternative to smoking. They really are nice and effective. I hope they get more coverage in the media. That could help MMJ get accepted even faster. Vaporizers remove the so called dangers associated with smoking and that seems to be what the antis harp on so much. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by VitaminT on June 05, 2002 at 23:38:22 PT Thank You Dr. Russo You make it easier for writers to refrain from reefer madness journalism in favor of factual reporting. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Zero_G on June 05, 2002 at 23:24:03 PT Congratulations Doctor! And thanks to the UPI [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by PAUL PETERSON on June 05, 2002 at 23:12:04 PT: ETHAN RUSSO Nice article, good show, fine work. I'm still fighting it out here in Illinois, home of the 10th state. I've finished my trial in the lawyer gulog (ARDC) 4/23/02. I've toughed it out and been very adamant about my ADD diagnosis. In fact, just 3 weeks ago I found my first written documentation (from Oregon) that MM can treat ADD, which I have known specifically (from alternating dose observation) for 3 years. Now they call it RBS (racing brain syndrome). I saw another article about how Oregon might just allow this for sanctioned treatment. Do you know anything about this thing? It appears that the biggest boon to this as a medication may come as a psychotrophic, for Tourette's, OCD, Alzheimers, Parkinson's, Huntington's, Autism, Ausbergers, now ADD finally, stroke, epilepsy, migraines of course, MS, Lupus (how's Robin doing, by the way, say hi). I'm thinking they will find marijuana will enhance the effectiveness of antirejection drugs in transplants (just a hunch), as well as a major breast cancer breakthrough. Once the 9th Circuit case comes out (the DEA threats to doctors case-going our way, I hope?) I'll go back in full gear for the Illinois Class Action case.Still no word from Asa Hutchinson. Darn, I hoped he would have called by now. I guess I shouldn't wait up for him anymore. PAUL PETERSON, former lawyer, awaiting godot. http://ILLINOIS-MMI.ORG [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by el_toonces on June 05, 2002 at 20:39:38 PT: Ethan & the One Iron...... Ethan -- This must feel as good as blasting the evil Ping Eye Berylium-2 One Iron about 300 straight! Thanks!El [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on June 05, 2002 at 19:13:07 PT Dr. Russo I know what you mean about being a labor of love. That's why I do what I do. If a medicine helps a person feel better and live a more productive life then they should be allowed to be masters of their own destiny. Just knowing you are a Doctor and care like you do helps me feel so much better about life and gives me hope that change will come. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by null on June 05, 2002 at 18:49:21 PT wow, facts! Thanks to Ethan Russo and thanks to Steve Mitchell. :)This article contains facts and not editorializing! He presented the arguments of both sides, but of course we know on which side the facts weigh!Truly, it is not a matter of if but when... [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by eco-man on June 05, 2002 at 18:48:36 PT Links for June 6! National Day of Direct Action. Please distribute. Some ASA-related email is publicly archived here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cannabisactionLinks concerning the June 6! 2002 National Day of Direct Action at DEA outposts in around 60 cities. Americans for Safe Access (ASA) homepage. Local Actions Planned are listed on the home page. There is also a link to a page with a compact list of Local Action Contacts! http://safeaccessnow.org Emergency response list for medical marijuana rights' defense. Americans for Safe Access (ASA) email list and public archive: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/asaPlease send after-action June 6! reports (both personal and media reports) to the ASA list moderator at hilary riseup.net It seems that only moderators can forward email messages to the ASA list. Also, CC-send June 6! reports to the Cannabis Action MMM public archive at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cannabisaction Send directly (if subscribed), or send indirectly using this address: tents444 yahoo.comAlso, CC-send June 6! MEDIA reports to CannabisNews.com http://cannabisnews.com by using this address: submissions cannabisnews.com Just copy and paste these email addresses into your email: hilary riseup.net, tents444 yahoo.com, submissions cannabisnews.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Ethan Russo MD on June 05, 2002 at 18:35:26 PT: Surprise I was very surprised to see this today, since I just talked to this reporter several hours ago. He sure was a quick study!FoM, to you and everyone here: This is a labor of love for me. I enjoy it, and it gives me life. What other choice could I have? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on June 05, 2002 at 17:53:40 PT Links I Forgot To Post in Article Hemp for Headaches http://freedomtoexhale.com/hh.pdf Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs http://freedomtoexhale.com/ermd.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on June 05, 2002 at 17:46:57 PT Dr. Russo! I'm so very proud of you! Thank you so much for all you are doing. You're the best in my book! 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