cannabisnews.com: Should Medicinal Marijuana Be Legal? Should Medicinal Marijuana Be Legal? Posted by FoM on November 14, 2000 at 18:00:44 PT By Lydia Lovric Source: The Province A growing number of people, including doctors, judges and politicians are giving marijuana the official nod of approval for several medicinal uses. The Canadian Alliance recently called for a free vote in the House of Commons on the issue of medicinal marijuana. Neither the Liberals nor the Progressive Conservatives have a problem with medicinal use of marijuana. Recreational use is a different story. However, the NDP would like to see the drug completely decriminalized. "The law is absurd," says Svend Robinson, NDP member of parliament for Burnaby Douglas. "It's absolutely cruel to deny a person who is suffering pain something that can ease their suffering." John McNeill, a professor in the University of British Columbia's department of pharmaceutical sciences, agrees that marijuana can be helpful in pain management. "People say they use it and it decreases their pain, increases their appetite and decreases pressure," he says. Medicinal marijuana is commonly used to help prevent nausea and vomiting in patients suffering from cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis and other diseases. It also reduces pain and stimulates appetite, helping to slow weight loss in patients. While a "marijuana pill" is available, patients who suffer from nausea and vomiting sometimes have difficulty taking oral medication. Smoking marijuana generates faster and more predictable results. In Canada, marijuana is still considered an illicit drug. A handful of people who suffer from chronic illness have been granted an exemption. They are legally permitted to smoke marijuana but do not have access to a safe, reliable and affordable supply. Marijuana was first used therapeutically in China more than 5,000 years ago. Although there is significant scientific evidence supporting the medicinal use of marijuana, some still want to keep the substance banned. Opponents of marijuana fear that long-term, heavy use may cause brain damage and that users may experiment with stronger, more dangerous drugs. In his testimony before the American Crime Subcommittee on cannabis (marijuana) three years ago, Dr. Lester Grinspoon, associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, supported the medicinal use of marijuana: "Cannabis (marijuana) is remarkably safe. Although not harmless, it is surely less toxic than most of the conventional medicines it could replace if it were legally available." Grinspoon says that some widely used drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, have been linked to stomach bleeding and ulcers, causing 7,000 death each year in the U.S. He maintains that marijuana is far safer. "Despite its use by millions of people over thousands of years, (marijuana) has never caused an overdose death." But he points out that smoking marijuana is not risk-free. "The most serious concern is respiratory-system damage from smoking," explains Grinspoon. As cases of cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis increase, law-makers in Ottawa need to have a serious discussion on medicinal marijuana. Patients in Canada won't let the issue blow over. Note: Medical experts say marijuana can help patients manage chronic pain. Source: Province, The (CN BC) Author: Lydia Lovric, The Province Published: November 13, 2000Copyright: 2000 The Province Address: 200 Granville Street, Ste. #1Vancouver, BC V6C 3N3 Canada Fax: (604) 605-2323 Contact: provedpg pacpress.southam.caWebsite: http://www.vancouverprovince.com/ Related Articles & Web Sites:Health Canadahttp://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/Marijuana The Forbidden Medicinehttp://www.rxmarihuana.com/Medical Pot Will Produce Strong Buzz http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7416.shtmlOttawa Won't Appeal Marijuana Ruling http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7203.shtmlOntario Court Says Law Against MJ Unconstitutionalhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread6576.shtmlOntario Court of Appeal Upholds Decision http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread6571.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by Donavan Waterman on February 19, 2001 at 17:19:41 PT: We might as well If we don't legalize cannabis from useage medically than more people will get into trouble by trafficing it so as I stated before man we might as well do it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by AARON RIGG on February 14, 2001 at 13:46:21 PT: LEGALIZE IT ALCOHOL IS LEGAL AND IT CREATES MORE DAMAGE TO YOUR BODY THAN MARIJUANA DOES PLUS YOU DONT WAKE UP WITH A KILLER HANGOVER [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on November 15, 2000 at 15:53:54 PT Legalize End the war on the sick and dying - PLEASE. End the war on the relaxed, happy, and hungry, while you're at it! End the war that's being paid for by our tax dollars and being fought against our own citizens! Imagine the tax revenue potential for legal cannabis! Imagine smaller prisons! Canada's Choice in 2000! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by drfist on November 15, 2000 at 10:09:56 PT the smoking issue they never mention extract of cannabis, or "space cake"the wonderful hash cake you can buy in Amsterdam, Smoking is not necesaarry if cannabis was cheap/legal. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by lewis monk on November 15, 2000 at 06:00:37 PT: ganga pass the law maaannnnn!!!!!!!!!!! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: