THC Patch and Gum Right Around the Corner?

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