College physicians argue for legalization of medicinal marijuana

By Rachel Lusby
March 7, 2008

Photo by Daniel Kim.

Although the medical use of marijuana is legal in Washington state, patients can still be federally prosecuted for its use.

Photo by Daniel Kim.

Marijuana is used to treat nausea associated with treatments for cancer, AIDS and hepatitis.

Photo by Daniel Kim.

The American College of Physicians is one of many medical organizations that endorses allowing patients access to medical marijuana.

The idea that marijuana can be good for your health is being supported by a position paper released by the American College of Physicians (ACP), the largest group of internal medicine doctors in the United States.

The paper supports the use of medicinal marijuana as an effective medicine to deal with side effects of chemotherapy treatments and symptoms like HIV-related weight loss and pain from glaucoma.

Tim Kelly, president of the UW chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), said the federal government has spent too many years ignoring evidence that points toward the medicinal benefits of cannabis.

The federal government claims there is no scientific evidence that says marijuana is useful for those suffering from life threatening diseases, terminal illnesses, or both, Kelly said.

Under federal law marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug and is grouped with narcotics such as heroin and crystal methamphetamine. Both drugs are highly addictive and neither have been shown to have any medicinal value.

“For too long the federal government, specifically the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), has stated that there are no acceptable medical uses of marijuana,” Kelly said.

David C. Dale, a UW professor of internal medicine and the president of ACP, argued for a change in government policy.

“We have recommended that the classification be changed,” he said. cause

To date, Washington is one of 12 states that allow the use of medical marijuana. However, those who are prescribed the drug are not safe from federal prosecution.

ACP believes there should be an exemption from federal prosecution for physicians and pharmacists who prescribe and/or sell medicinal marijuana and for the patients who use it, Dale said. Under the current federal laws an offender can receive up to five years in prison for possessing 100 kilograms of marijuana and up to 10 years for 1,000 kilograms.

Those caught with less than 15 grams of marijuana face paying a fine of $100 or more.

The report released by the ACP is an important step in the movement NORML has been working toward, Kelly said.

“I think the report that the ACP released asking the federal government to lift its restrictions on research and accessibility to medical marijuana is a great tool in our fight for medical marijuana,” he said.

According to the ACP report, research expansion has been hindered by a complicated federal approval process, the limited availability of research-grade marijuana and the debate over legalization.

“The irony to it all is that the DEA severely limits who can legally obtain marijuana for research, causing the problem of little scientific evidence,” Kelly said.

[Reach contributing writer Rachel Lusby at development@thedaily.washington.edu.]

#1 Alex

commented, on
March 7, 2008 at 9:01 a.m.:

Forget about the medical aspect of marijuana- besides tradition- why is marijuana not just as legal as a glass of wine?
Because people are not OK with thinking in terms of freedom beyond their own personal choices. Because people see a worst case scenario, not a "use vs. abuse" issue.
Wine is an almost universally accepted drug.
Wine isn't subjected to government medical trials as it awaits approval for individuals to use, why is marijuana any different? Tradition?
We hear of drugs that have been through government testing and approval which come with all kinds of serious side effects, or must be taken off the market later because of their toxic properties.
Peaceable, responsible, adult choices should be left to individuals to make. This is not to defend drug abuse- impaired driving, reporting to work under the influence, domestic violence, child abuse, etc.
What is wrong with adults sitting around the fire at the ski chalet on New Year's weekend using (not abusing) marijuana?
We are working hard to spread freedom across the globe - maybe we should take some of the filters off of freedom here at home. Those filters weren’t put in place by terrorists or foreign governments.
Is there a major political party that believes in State’s Rights?
There must be a law against happiness.
Maybe there is a push from big business- The Medical Industrial Complex- to keep us from making our own choices.
Every other Ad on T.V. is for some type of serious medication-
May cause: mild to severe spasms of the colon, bone loss, blackouts, aneurisms, hyperventilation, persistent vomiting, chronic irritability, unsafe motor vehicle operation, partial but temporary blindness, weight gain, impaired motor skills, memory loss, brief bipolar episodes, nose bleeds, disruption of normal sleep patterns, motion sickness, mild convulsive disorders, hardening of the arteries, brain swelling, severe itching, profuse sweating, loss of balance, sudden and unexpected loss of bowel or bladder control, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, and sleepwalking.

Alex
http://tinyurl.com/36t5vp
Port Hadlock

#2 Scott

commented, on
March 7, 2008 at 4:59 p.m.:

I would actually applaud the physicians if they were taking a stand and supporting MMJ. Unfortunately, I have witness different. If these physicians were in support then how come at Harborview physicians have directed their staff not to verify authorizations from their own office. In order to assist patients, clinics must verify the authorization if it is not faxed directly from the doctors office before they can be orientated. So when calling to verify they were informed that they are instructed not to say or verify anything in regards to the authorization. If the clinic cannot verify the authorization, then the patient cannot be accepted. So the only thing I have to say is if you are making a stand, then follow through so patients can be helped.

Scott
http://www.compassion.ws

#3 Michael Vandeburg

commented, on
March 7, 2008 at 9:51 p.m.:

In my opinion marijuana is legal in america. That is why I wrote the book "Why Marijuana is Legal in America." Based upon one's permanent "rights and liabilities" created by U.S. Congress in the 1939 Statutes at Large.

Copies are available on amazon if you want to check it out. Do a search and read U.S.C. Title 26, Section 7851 (b)(1) of the current code. The current code still backs up what congress did in 1939.

To cut to the chase or short version is that Congress established the right to be an illegal user by paying a $100 transaction tax per ounce for an illegal user. All rights can still be claimed today. Claim it or lose it. Speak up and speak out! The transaction tax was later abolished by the Supreme Court but you still have a right to be an illegal user, with no transaction tax.

You can email me at michael@vandeburg.com. I can't guarantee every email a reply. College speaking is also available at speaking@vandeburg.com.

Cannabis Hemp is the #1 biofuel on plantet earth. Industrial Hemp will change every industry in America and create millions of new jobs. Do some research and stop listening to this government babble and lawyer legalese or words of witchcraft to steal your mind. Think for a change!

Author Michael Vandeburg

#4 Sunil Aggarwal

commented, on
March 14, 2008 at 1:25 p.m.:

Hopefully the ACP will forward this onto the AMA so that the policy changes that they are advocating have a better chance of being realized. I am working to bring this to the attention of medical students.

There are some errors in this article:
"Under federal law marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug and is grouped with narcotics such as heroin and crystal methamphetamine. Both drugs are highly addictive and neither have been shown to have any medicinal value."

Methamphetamine is categorized in Schedule II, not schedule one. All substances listed in this category have an "officially accepted medical use". Methamphetamine is used for ADD/ADHD, narcolepsy, and other indications.

Heroin is used in Canada, Switzerland, Holland and other countries as a opioid maintenance therapy for patients who need to transition from out-of-control addiction to controllable dependency.

The idea that "neither has been shown to have any medicinal value" is totally bogus just like the idea that marijuana has "no accepted medical use in treatment in the United States" is baseless. It helps to further the misconception that current drug classifications were based on a thorough review of the scientific evidence. It should be known that they are based more on racism, colonialism, and imperialism.

Sunil Aggarwal
http://students.washington.edu/sunil

#5 Sunil Aggarwal

commented, on
March 14, 2008 at 1:27 p.m.:

Heroin, which is listed in Schedule I, is used in Canada, Switzerland, Holland and other countries as a opioid maintenance therapy for patients who need to transition from out-of-control addiction to controllable dependency.

Sunil Aggarwal
http://students.washington.edu/sunila

#6 Sunil Aggarwal

commented, on
March 14, 2008 at 1:45 p.m.:

Sorry for the duplication. Please ignore the first post.

Forgot to mention another error. The penalties under federal law for possession of marijuana are more stringent than this article reports.

"“The federal penalty for possessing one marijuana cigarette — even for medical use — is up to one year in prison and up to a $100,000 fine, and the penalty for growing a cannabis plant is up to five years and up to a $250,000 fine. That patients are willing to risk these severe penalties to obtain the relief that marijuana provides appears to present strong evidence for both the substance’s therapeutic effectiveness and their urgent need for relief.”

Source: Congressional Research Service ˜
The Library of Congress
CRS Report for Congress, “Medical Marijuana:
Review and Analysis of Federal and State Policies, December 29, 2005, Mark Eddy, Specialist in Social Legislation
Domestic Social Policy Division

#7 Kemp

commented, on
March 18, 2008 at 2:12 a.m.:

Rachel, Great article. I wish more people would stand up for us patients, make it known that we, are patients and we want to live without pain. Washington law says we can.

Not sure how the DEA can say that cannabis has no medical use when you have thousands and thousands of patients saying it relieves the pain, nausea, and a number of other symptoms.

I think it is spitefulness and intentional from the DEA and Gov. Please stand up for my right to use MMj. It won't be long till people like me with illnesses won't be able to stand up for themselves.

thanks

#8 samuel

commented, on
March 18, 2008 at 8:35 a.m.:

Thanks for your devotion and motivation to bring sustain understanding the future of the youngsters to instruct them what God want them to be.
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15, [New American Standard Bible], NASB).
He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently. (Proverbs 13:24, NASB).

College physicians argue for legalization of medicinal marijuana

#1 Alex

#2 Scott

#3 Michael Vandeburg

#4 Sunil Aggarwal

#5 Sunil Aggarwal

#6 Sunil Aggarwal

#7 Kemp

#8 samuel

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