| Doctors have long known that marijuana can be useful | | | | marijuana 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. Many | | | | record against people smoking tobacco and |
| doctors have and still prescribe marijuana - yes it can | | | | marijuana," said Allen St. Pierre, executive director of |
| be obtained legally through a prescription. Now, the | | | | the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana |
| government is doing research into a patch or possibly | | | | Laws in Washington, D.C. "This is a way to assuage |
| gum, along with the Marinol pill and other similar | | | | opponents." The American Cancer Society is currently |
| treatments to treat more malodys like gulf war | | | | funding 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 recently | | | | There 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 Maryland | | | | patient research the smoking method is still preferred |
| approval to study the effects of THC | | | | as 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 been | | | | with the pill is that it takes too long for it to have effect. |
| approved and released for treatment of | | | | Then 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 or | | | | delivery problem and being that there are no |
| lozenge methods of delivery are now being | | | | competing manufacturers the doctor and patient have |
| researched for treatment of migraines, psychological | | | | little 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 of | | | | smoked marijuana, can easily be removed when the |
| research the U.S. Government has recently backed | | | | patient 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 fact | | | | hands with more choices. It would also make these |
| that marijuana does have medicinal properties that can | | | | medications less expensive and more apt to be |
| help patients with various conditions and that it should | | | | accepted by society. The patch and gum are currently |
| be made more readily available. Recently marijuana | | | | in use for smoking control and cesation and are very |
| and THC have been brought down to a class 3 drug | | | | effective in this delivery method. This is not to mention |
| under the DEA. This will make it easier for doctors to | | | | the cancer factor from smoking is removed making it |
| prescribe THC and marijuana and get it to those who | | | | much safer and acceptable. |
| need it. The National Institutes of Health and an affiliate | | | | It would be believable to assume a THC patch and |
| of the National Academy of Sciences have concluded | | | | possibly gum will be available and through the clinical |
| that the active ingredients in marijuana can ease the | | | | trials in the next few years. As more acceptance for |
| pain, nausea and vomiting of cancer and AIDS | | | | the medicinal use of marijuana and THC grows it is |
| (courtesy National Academy Press). Even charitable | | | | possible that it may gain universal acceptancebe for |
| organizations that long withstood the attributes of | | | | medicinal use. |