| Doctors have long known that marijuana can be | | | | |
| useful in the treatment of emaciated and | | | | "The American Cancer Society has always been |
| anorexic patients from diseases like | | | | on record against people smoking tobacco |
| chemotherapy and AIDS. Many doctors have and | | | | and marijuana," said Allen St. Pierre, |
| still prescribe marijuana - yes it can be | | | | executive director of the National |
| obtained legally through a prescription. | | | | Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws |
| Now, the government is doing research into a | | | | in Washington, D.C. "This is a way to assuage |
| patch or possibly gum, along with the Marinol | | | | opponents." The American Cancer Society is |
| pill and other similar treatments to treat | | | | currently funding a three-year, $361,000 |
| more malodys like gulf war syndrome, migraine | | | | grant for research at the Albany College of |
| headaches and similar. | | | | Pharmacy. |
| | | | |
| The Food and Drug Administration has recently | | | | There is currently only a few choices |
| granted several researchers from large | | | | smoking, oral (Marinol) and injection |
| universities and research centers from | | | | (Sumatriptan). According to patient research |
| Harvard to Maryland approval to study the | | | | the smoking method is still preferred as the |
| effects of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) in | | | | patient feels more comfortable in determining |
| various delivery methods. Some of these The | | | | what amount of "high" they receive. The |
| oral methods have recently been approved and | | | | complaints with the pill is that it takes too |
| released for treatment of chemotherapy and | | | | long for it to have effect. Then when it |
| AIDS related weightloss issues. They, along | | | | does take effect the patient is rendered |
| with injectible and patch and gum or lozenge | | | | useless for a period of time. This seems to |
| methods of delivery are now being researched | | | | be a delivery problem and being that there |
| for treatment of migraines, psychological | | | | are no competing manufacturers the doctor and |
| associated diseases (Gulf War Syndrom and | | | | patient have little choice. |
| similar), and even ADD and ADHD (Attention | | | | |
| Deficit Disorder) and mental and | | | | A THC patch or gum could easily solve this |
| psychological abnormalities. The list of | | | | problem as these delivery methods, similar in |
| research the U.S. Government has recently | | | | property to smoked marijuana, can easily be |
| backed continues to grow. | | | | removed when the patient feels comfortable |
| | | | and is sufficiently medicated. This would |
| The U.S. government is giving in to the | | | | put control back in the patients and doctors |
| undeniable fact that marijuana does have | | | | hands with more choices. It would also make |
| medicinal properties that can help patients | | | | these medications less expensive and more apt |
| with various conditions and that it should be | | | | to be accepted by society. The patch and gum |
| made more readily available. Recently | | | | are currently in use for smoking control and |
| marijuana and THC have been brought down to a | | | | cesation and are very effective in this |
| class 3 drug under the DEA. This will make | | | | delivery method. This is not to mention the |
| it easier for doctors to prescribe THC and | | | | cancer factor from smoking is removed making |
| marijuana and get it to those who need it. | | | | it much safer and acceptable. |
| The National Institutes of Health and an | | | | |
| affiliate of the National Academy of Sciences | | | | It would be believable to assume a THC patch |
| have concluded that the active ingredients in | | | | and possibly gum will be available and |
| marijuana can ease the pain, nausea and | | | | through the clinical trials in the next few |
| vomiting of cancer and AIDS (courtesy | | | | years. As more acceptance for the medicinal |
| National Academy Press). Even charitable | | | | use of marijuana and THC grows it is possible |
| organizations that long withstood the | | | | that it may gain universal acceptancebe for |
| attributes of marijuana have changed their | | | | medicinal use. |
| views: | | | | |