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Marijuana as Medicine- By Dr. Robert Whitney
A number of states, organizations and individuals have proposed making marijuana readily and legally available to individuals who might benefit from its possible therapeutic effects. Specifically, some have suggested that the federal government, through the Food and Drug Administration, approve smoking marijuana as both an effective and safe pharmaceutical, to be available for prescription by physicians. We applaud the compassionate intentions of helping those who suffer. However, we believe that these proposals are bad public policy.
The potential benefits of the ingredients of marijuana have received substantial scientific study for use in a range of health problems. Conclusions about possible risks and benefits are mixed. The following list summarizes these claims, relating specifically to medicinal use of smoking marijuana and the stance which ECCPASA is taking:
Claim 1— Medicinal use of smoking marijuana is harmless:
Some people feel that the benefits of use as a medicine outweigh the “exaggerated” physical side effects.
FACT:
- When THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, is inhaled, many other harmful substances are distributed throughout the body.
- The adverse effects of marijuana smoke on the lungs and respiratory system counteract any possible benefits.
- No FDA approved medications are smoked.
- Smoking is not an effective way to deliver medicine because it is difficult to regulate appropriate dosage in smoked form.
- The FDA has approved Marinol, in pill form, which contains the active ingredient-THC.
Claim 2--Marijuana reduces pain:
Individuals report improvement in the relief of severe, persistent pain from cancer with the use of marijuana.
FACT:
- Patients may benefit from and require short-term use. However, long-term use presents additional risks including the development of physical dependence and impaired immune and lung functions.
Claim 3—Marijuana helps glaucoma:
It is often cited that marijuana may help glaucoma, alleviating eye pressure.
FACT:
- The effects only last ten minutes and therefore would require frequent ingestion, impairing coordination and judgment.
- Marijuana contains hundreds of other chemicals, many of which have documented adverse health effects.
Societal Risks:
The legalization of medicinal marijuana presents other significant risks to society.
Since perceived risk correlates with trends in teen use of marijuana, it is likely that current trends in lowered marijuana use would reverse as teens are told in sound bites and headlines, “MARIJUANA IS AN APPROVED MEDICINE.”
It is well known and documented that widespread availability of cheap substances increases abuse. This is a concern for medicinal marijuana, since methods of limited distribution have not been adequately addressed. This has been shown most recently with the current epidemic of prescription drug abuse.
- Since medical indications are unclear, will patients and television commercials implore compassionate physicians to prescribe marijuana for any difficult or troubling problem?
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