cannabisnews.com: Gov't Eases Restrictions on Marinol Gov't Eases Restrictions on Marinol Posted by FoM on July 02, 1999 at 19:41:58 PT Another Article! Source: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel WASHINGTON - The government on Friday eased restrictions on Marinol, a byproduct of marijuana that doctors can prescribe to counter some symptoms of AIDS and side effects of chemotherapy. Barry McCaffrey, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said the capsulized form of Marinol is the ``safe and proper way'' to make a form of marijuana available to the public.``This action will make Marinol, which is scientifically proven to be safe and effective for medical use, more widely available,'' McCaffrey said.The Drug Enforcement Administration reclassified Marinol from a ``Schedule 2'' drug to the less restricted ``Schedule 3'' category. This essentially means that instead of being classified with drugs like morphine, Marinol is now classified with more widely used drugs like Codeine.Marijuana is classified as a ``Schedule 1'' drug, and thus cannot be prescribed by doctors.The change comes as dozens of states are grappling with the issue of legalized marijuana. Several states, including Oregon and California, have approved the use of marijuana with a doctor's consent.McCaffrey, who has remained staunchly opposed to those efforts, said Friday's change was the result of ``pure science. There's no politics involved.''Marinol is the only agent, or cannabinoid, in marijuana that has undergone research and been developed into a prescription drug. First brought onto the market in 1985, Marinol has been used to treat anorexia and weight loss associated with AIDS and nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.With the change in classification, Marinol can now be prescribed by doctors with the possibility of five prescription refills in six months. The change also lessens record keeping requirements and eases distribution restrictions on the drug.Supporters of medical marijuana, however, say patients who use it are able to get the benefits of dozens of other agents in marijuana that are not in Marinol.Marinol supporters have maintained that doctors are able to prescribe a specific dosage of the drug, something they cannot determine with marijuana use. The prescribed drug also does not pose the added concern of smoking and potential lung damage, Marinol advocates have said.Last Updated: July 2, 1999 at 7:50:05 p.m.© Copyright 1999, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. All rights reserved. Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #8 posted by traci on August 22, 2001 at 14:34:22 PT: dr's in arizona that can prescribe marijuana help [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Jeaneous on July 03, 1999 at 13:32:23 PT: Almost forgot... Happy "INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!! (NT) Happy Independence Day all.... I think we have gained a little more of it on this day. Enjoy!!!!Peace, Love, and most of all, Compassion!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Jeaneous on July 03, 1999 at 13:26:08 PT: :-} Yes... it makes the courts rather flat footed ... for I'm assuming that the majority of patients that have recommendations to use marijuana will have access to prescriptions of marinol.It will blow many probation departments power about non-use if it is a "legal" prescription of the drug.Can't send ya back to jail if you are on a dr's prescription and they certainly cannot order you not to take your prescriptions.I think it's going to make a large effect on marijuana. How will the government justify having a synthetic of marijuana on Schedule III, that can cause overdose and damage when the original is much safer, yet still a class I drug. Won't make any sense anymore....Very, very interesting..... [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on July 03, 1999 at 11:00:11 PT Drug Testing Problems? Sure Will Be! Jean,Glad you thought of that because it's true! It's too late for them. It's unraveling right before our eyes! I love it! Have a Happy Holiday!Peace, FoM! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Jeaneous on July 03, 1999 at 10:31:30 PT: Funny... I find this rather funny that a synthetic version of marijuana,which is hard to find an effective dose is now available through any doctor. The strangest part of this is that anyone that has to do manditory urine tests will test postive for marijuana, and cannot be punished for it.I wonder if McCaffrey knows that......Anyway my next script will be one of marinol...it might relieve some of the pain...another small step in this medical issue.. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on July 03, 1999 at 08:00:14 PT: Dr. Koop Answers Questions About Dronabinol! Dronabinol Pronunciation: droe NAB i nolBrand: Marinolhttp://www.drkoop.com/What is the most important information I should know about dronabinol? Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform other hazardous activities while taking dronabinol. Dronabinol may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired judgement. Do not drink alcohol while taking dronabinol. Alcohol will increase dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired judgement.Click the link to read more! Dr. Koop Answers Questions About Dronabinol! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on July 03, 1999 at 07:53:44 PT: ‘Pot Pill’ Easier to Get! Barry McCaffrey, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said the capsulized form of Marinol is the “safe and proper way” to make a form of marijuana available to the public. Pubdate: July 3rd, 1999Source: ABC Newshttp://abcnews.go.com/Click the link below to read the article! ‘Pot Pill’ Easier to Get! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on July 02, 1999 at 20:21:36 PT: Clinical Pharmacology of Marinol http://www.marinol.com/Dronabinol is an orally active cannabinoid which, like other cannabinoids, has complex effects on the central nervous system (CNS), including central sympathomimetic activity. Cannabinoid receptors have been discovered in neural tissues. These receptors may play a role in mediating the effects of dronabinol and other cannabinoids.Pharmacodynamics: Dronabinol-induced sympathomimetic activity may result in tachycardia and/or conjunctival injection. Its effects on blood pressure are inconsistent, but occasional subjects have experienced orthostatic hypotension and/or syncope upon abrupt standing.Dronabinol also demonstrates reversible effects on appetite, mood, cognition, memory, and perception.These phenomena appear to be dose-related, increasing in frequency with higher dosages, and subject to great interpatient variability.After oral administration, dronabinol has an onset of action of approximately 0.5 to 1 hours and peak effect at 2 to 4 hours. Duration of action for psychoactive effects is 4 to 6 hours, but the appetite stimulant effect of dronabinol may continue for 24 hours or longer after administration.Click the link below for more information on Marinol. Marinol Full Prescribing Information [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: