cannabisnews.com: MMJ: Let Medical Science Root Out the True Benefit





MMJ: Let Medical Science Root Out the True Benefit
Posted by FoM on June 14, 1999 at 09:30:37 PT
Source: The Florida Times - Union
Recently, the Florida Supreme Court declined to hear the case of George Sowell, a Panhandle man who smokes marijuana because he claims it keeps his glaucoma from progressing and alleviates the nausea caused by transplant medication he takes.
He was convicted in 1995 of cultivating and possessing marijuana after the trial judge refused to hear Sowell's argument. An appeals court overturned the conviction, ruling that Sowell could use the medicinal defense.Much of what's behind the push for legalized marijuana is not science but a political campaign driven by big money.Pro-drug advocates have put the issue of marijuana for medicinal use on the ballot in California, Arizona and Alaska. Are they true philanthropists or is medical use a foot in the door to widespread legalization?Some ingredients in marijuana may have medicinal qualities. Marinol is a prescription drug in pill form that has isolated THC, the active substance in the underlying plant that can relieve some of the symptoms of AIDS and chemotherapy-related nausea.But to suggest that a smoked weed with uncontrolled impurities and negative side effects is a medicine (the only smoked medicine) is a stretch.A study by the Institute of Medicine on marijuana made headlines with its recommendation that marijuana cigarettes be made available to seriously ill patients.However, the study clearly states that natural or synthetic marijuana does not relieve glaucoma.Researchers also warned of the hazardous side effects from marijuana smoke, and that safe methods of taking the drug should be developed.Even for those with AIDS, cancer and other terminal illnesses, the study was cautious, saying marijuana use should be allowed only under close supervision by a physician until a more benign, non-smoked form is available.But the most compelling recommendation is that research on the effects of marijuana and its derivatives should continue.If marijuana has true medical benefits, let medical science root them out. There is a reliable procedure for the approval of new drugs. Let it work.JAMES R. MCDONOUGH,Director,Office of Drug Control,Tallahassee, FLA.Cannabis Action Coalition:http://www.jug-or-not.com/can/index.htmlThe Link Below is The News Article:http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/060899/opl_Tueleadl.html
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