cannabisnews.com: Controversy Envelopes HIV Patients Using Marijuana





Controversy Envelopes HIV Patients Using Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on December 26, 2002 at 08:26:05 PT
By Jeanne Doe 
Source: Cape Gazette
This past September, I was in southern California to attend the U.S. Conference on AIDS, held in Anaheim, Calif. While watching the news one morning, a headline caught my attention about activists for the distribution of medical marijuana. The activists at San Diego City Hall were that very moment passing out small bags of marijuana to patients who had a medical need for the substance and who had a physician’s note to obtain it.
Advocates for the use of medical marijuana say cannabis can assist in reducing symptoms for patients who have cancer, AIDS and other chronic ailments. In fact, the city was working on guidelines to provide identification cards to medical users in case authorities ever confronted them. Proposition 215, also known as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, allows Californians who are seriously ill to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes if recommended by a physician. A similar bill is on the books in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.Marijuana, which is classified as a cannabinoid - known on the street as “dope,” “grass,” “pot” and “weed” - continues to be controversial. Although little is known about its direct interaction with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medications or its effect on the progression of HIV, research has shown there are plenty of negative effects associated with its use in general. Whether swallowed or smoked, marijuana can cause euphoria, slowed thinking and reaction time, confusion, impaired balance and coordination, cough and respiratory infections, impaired learning, and increased risk of heart disease, anxiety, panic attacks and addiction. Among the more than 400 chemicals, marijuana also contains tetrahydrocannabimnol (THC), a drug that alters the mind and body.Marijuana has been classified in the most restrictive category of controlled substances since 1970. Nationally, it is not accepted for medical use; therefore, it is not a regulated drug and can be laced with other dangerous drugs. Abuse is a high risk for people who use it. In addition, impaired judgment and memory induced by the use of marijuana could lead to unsafe sexual practices leading to exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. For individuals already infected with HIV, smoking dope could lead to the spread of HIV to their partners or lead to reinfection. The bottom line is both the short- and long-term risks should be considered as well as alternative options to its medical use.Against medical use Claims marijuana use is effective in treating wasting syndrome, pain of neuropathy - aneurological disorder often effecting the limbs - and nausea associated with HIV are largely noted through personal experience and not medical research; therefore, it is critical to assess the usefulness of marijuana for medical use. Medical options are available to treat side effects experienced from HIV and HIV-related illnesses. There are several medications already available to treat pain and nausea. A common medication known to the HIV community is dronabinol (Marinol), a synthetic form of THC. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Marinol in 1994 for its use in treating wasting syndrome. It is available by prescription to act as an appetite stimulant and to reduce nausea. One of the largest concerns of marijuana use for individuals living with HIV is the effect that it has on the immune system. THC has been suggested to negatively affect many of the immune functions causing the user to be more susceptible to certain infections. Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections may result in an increased viral load - the level of virus in blood. Third, lung complications similar to those associated with tobacco smoke can be harmful increasing the risk of lung cancer, heart disease and asthma. Aspergillus, a fungus sometimes found in marijuana, has been found in individuals with advanced HIV disease and can cause lung infections. Smoking marijuana may inhibit the ability of cells to fight bacteria in the lungs and increase the risk of lung complications.Neurologically, marijuana is commonly known to affect the ability to think, judge and perform tasks. The user will determine whether those short-term effects are negative or positive. Individuals taking the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have noted using marijuana impairs their memory, leading to the hindrance of adhering to their treatment regimen. Adherence is imperative to prevent drug resistance and to the success of the treatment. To someone infected with HIV, that is crucial to living a longer healthy life. It is common knowledge individuals who smoke marijuana often get the “munchies”; therefore, marijuana has been suggested to aid in reducing the side effects of wasting syndrome. However, in many cases, the food consumed during these moments are high in fat and often snack foods that cause weight gain to consist of fat rather than muscle gain. Weight gain is also contributed to marijuana leads people to sleep more and participate in less physical activities.The University of California at San Francisco is conducting a study on the effects of marijuana use and its effects on Crixivan, an anti-HIV medication. In addition, it will be studying the effects of Marinol and marijuana on weight gain and loss, appetite, the immune system and hormone levels. Advocates against marijuana for medical use hope the research data support their stand that marijuana is harmful to people living with HIV. For medical use Advocates for the medical use of marijuana claim it reduces chronic pain, spasms, nausea and depression, and it decreases the progression of wasting syndrome - the weight loss associated with HIV - without having negative effects on the progression of HIV. Data from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study found marijuana was not linked to a higher rate of HIV progression or loss of CD4 cells. A short-term study conducted by the University of California at San Francisco concluded marijuana did not have a harmful effect on HIV levels - the viral load. Although Marinol has been shown to increase appetite for as long as five months, reports show it can be absorbed erratically, making managing its psychological side effects, like euphoria and disorientation, difficult for some people. Individuals who have used both marijuana and Marinol in pill form report smoking marijuana allows them more control in how “stoned” they get. In addition, the cost of a needed prescription for Marinol can be up to $30,000 a year, making it financially unavailable to many and a deterrent to others.New studies show that marijuana may have anti-inflammatory effects as it reduces pain experienced by individuals with neuropathy. Clients with HIV find smoking marijuana the only relief they receive from their daily discomfort. Research and personal experiences have shown marijuana also reduces nausea for people using the antiviral therapies. Many cancer survivors credit marijuana for their survival. Taking marijuana during chemotherapy allowed them to withstand the overwhelming nausea, which was the cause for ending therapy for many others.After California voted yes to the medical use of marijuana, physicians noted positive outcomes relative to their HIV-positive patients’ weight gain and quality of their life. In addition, if medical marijuana is combined with an extensive nutritional, weight maintenance and exercise program, lean muscle gain can be increased. Although indications that marijuana can help people experiencing nausea, pain and wasting due to HIV, the political concerns and ramifications have not provided researchers with much incentive to continue conducting studies on HIV and marijuana use. There is a lack of studies suggesting marijuana use has a negative long-term effect on HIV disease. More research could benefit many people and may provide an alternative to existing treatments.In summary, the medical use of marijuana for individuals infected with HIV has had an enormous effect in the political arena and not such an enormous effect in the research arena. Advocates for and against its use for medicinal purposes each have examples of why it should or should not be permitted, unfortunately with little concrete scientific data to support their positions. The idea that an individual could be healthier and more functional by using another potentially dangerous drug has been proven true with the use of methadone. However, the understanding is methadone is not necessarily a permanent treatment but is rather a step toward abstinence, whereas medical marijuana is intended as a permanent treatment for those suffering from chronic or terminal illnesses. Some HIV-positive individuals use marijuana to reduce nausea, reduce pain, aid sleeping and increase appetites or gain weight. Many are aware of the controversy and legality surrounding medical marijuana, but they are less likely to be aware of the potential dangers to their bodies from prolonged use. Others who are aware of the dangers overlook them, because they feel the immediate relief they receive from using marijuana outweighs the possible long-term effects from the drug. Yet others feel they will not be living by the time the long-term effects catch up to them.Sussex County residents have mixed feelings about the passing a law for marijuana medical use. Recently, WGMD, a local talk radio station, prompted a discussion led by host Sharon Kennedy. Callers who favored medical marijuana stated: “I would vote in a heartbeat to legalize it”, “I only don’t smoke it now because of drug testing at work” and “same will get high legal or illegal - I believe in total legalization.” Callers who opposed stated: “a pot head is a pot head” and “it’s just an excuse to get high.” For information relating to marijuana for medical use, drug and alcohol use, support groups, or 12-step programs, call the SCAC Resource Center at 644-1094. As one recovering SCAC client stated: “I moved toward sobriety because I realized HIV was not killing me; the drugs were. Now I realize that HIV lives with me. I don’t live with it.” Source: Cape Gazette (DE)Author: Jeanne DoePublished: Thursday, December 26, 2002Website: http://www.capegazette.com/Contact:  newsroom capegazette.comMedical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on December 26, 2002 at 21:53:43 PT
Jerr-man 
Since I am familiar with HIV and Aids because of my son I read and learned as much as I could to try to help him years ago. One thing I firmly believe is that the immune system needs above all good nutrition. The drugs that people take for Aids is like Chemo and can cause as much harm as good. Cannabis is good at helping a person keep their medicne down and eat. No matter if smoking Cannabis would drop the immune system down a little it helps by increasing the persons ability to take in nutrition and that will help the immune system. That's what I personally believe.
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Comment #10 posted by Jerr-man on December 26, 2002 at 21:37:14 PT
Against helpful medication?
" Advocates against marijuana for medical use hope the research data support their stand that marijuana is harmful to people living with HIV".This statement seems pretty cold!!!
It says to me "I would rather be right and let patients suffer then be wrong and discover a helpful medicine!".
Many of us know mj works because we have seen the healing power of Cannabis.
I hope and pray we find more compassion in 2003.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on December 26, 2002 at 14:41:56 PT
Dr. Russo
Here it is!http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread15055.shtml
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Comment #8 posted by Ethan Russo MD on December 26, 2002 at 14:26:30 PT:
Tulia
Any hints for those of us without a NYT subscription?
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Comment #7 posted by p4me on December 26, 2002 at 13:35:16 PT
NY Times has Op-ed on Tulia
This op-ed is dated today by the NY Times- http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/26/opinion/26HERB.html1
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Comment #6 posted by p4me on December 26, 2002 at 12:31:38 PT
UN Single Convention
There is a website in the UK where you can sign a petition for the demise of the UN Single Convention Treaty- http://www.ethical-business.com/petitions.asp?pet_id=201More than a hundred MEP's have signed a petition to end the UN Single Convention Treaty when it comes up for review in April- http://www.chrisdaviesmep.org.uk/news/2002/dec/meps_call_for_end_to_drugs_prohibition.htmOne paragraph from the above link reads:The MEPs, of all parties, are calling for the repeal of the existing UN conventions when these are up for review in April next year, and for prohibition to be replaced by government regulation and licensing.Does anyone have the new link for hempcity/DE since they changed host again?1
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Comment #5 posted by Ethan Russo MD on December 26, 2002 at 09:14:28 PT:
Cannabis and AIDS
(Yes, Missoula is my home).Readers interested in the topic of Cannabis and HIV may wish to obtain Cannabis Therapeutics in HIV/AIDS, a book I edited, and in which I called for the repeal of the Single Convention Treaty to allow use of cannabis for these patients.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on December 26, 2002 at 08:53:03 PT
druid & Everyone
I have free time on my hands during the holiday season because of the lack of news and I do a lot of thinking. I look back over the past year and think of the good and bad news and wonder what 2003 will bring. You made me think by mentioning Robin and her hunger strike. Without doing a news search the event that stands out in my mind as the most important to me was the WAMM raid. Maybe others would like to comment on what stands out most in their mind or at least try to think about where we've come from and maybe we can help determine where we are going in this coming New Year.Pictures from WAMM Protest: http://freedomtoexhale.com/eventpics.htmAnother one that I was impressed with was NORML's Campaign with the Mayor of New York.NORML's Ad Campaign: http://freedomtoexhale.com/ad.htm
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Comment #3 posted by The GCW on December 26, 2002 at 08:52:22 PT
Nausea can be so bad from Chemo...
that some cancer patients stop the therapy. The wretching is so bad that it can break a rib in a man. Not all petients get relief from the standard drugs, which by the way have side effects that start where cannabis side effects stop. My son died of cancer and the wretching He went through was nauseating for Me to watch. I took comfort in My Father's cannabis (marijuana to the Reefer Madness sicko's)but My child could not. I suppose if I did not force My child to do the chemo route, He would have stopped it long before He died. He tried to stop it, as best He could. Chemo is not the only pain... He also went through many surgeries and spinal taps, etc...If cannabis could have helped Him, through His severe discomfort, He should have been allowed, but instead, He wretched night after night beyond conception, at times...SO AS THIS STORY SAYS: "Taking marijuana during chemotherapy allowed them to withstand the overwhelming nausea, which was the cause for ending therapy for many others."
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Comment #2 posted by druid on December 26, 2002 at 08:39:15 PT:
cannabis blurb 
The smoke is clearing, and it’s been a ripper of a year for cannabis. Missoulian Robin Prosser waged a 60-day hunger strike to protest her inability to secure a legal prescription for the medicinal plant. Local businesses using highly-nutritive and non-stoney hemp in food and beer have faced threats from the DEA. And more than 600 people took to the streets of Missoula to encourage law enforcement to employ a more sensible approach to Americans smoking the herb. What’s in store for 2003? Canada’s top officials are saying they plan to legalize the ganja bush by April. Stay tuned on this one…http://www.everyweek.com/News/News.asp?no=2941Dr. Russo's Hometown I believe.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 26, 2002 at 08:32:43 PT
What Are Drugs from the BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/uk/drugs/newsid_1609000/1609624.stm
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