Pompo

Physicians divided on medical marijuana use
12/31/08|The Hammonton News| by Howard Berger - Opinion



There are many questions about which physicians are uncertain.

One of them centers on the use of marijuana to treat illnesses.

A measure pending in the state Legislature could authorize the use of medical marijuana to relieve symptoms in seriously ill patients.

The state would maintain a registry of people with debilitating medical conditions, such as HIV or AIDS, cancer and glaucoma. Photo identification cards would be issued to those on the registry, and they could possess a limited number of marijuana plants and usable marijuana.

Some in the medical profession believe marijuana, or medical cannabis, is useful in treating some diseases.

The Institute of Medicine conducted a study in 1999 that concluded smoking marijuana should not be considered a treatment for any specific disease due to the health risks, such as memory impairment, decreased lung function, impaired immune response and possible adverse effects on heart function.

However, researchers concluded doing so can ease nausea, appetite loss, pain and anxiety.

Researchers also determined the long-term risks of marijuana use are not of great concern to some patients, including those who are terminally ill or have debilitating symptoms.

Dr. David G. Ostrow, founder of the Medical Marijuana Policy Advocacy Project, is among those who believe marijuana could help those who are terminally ill or suffer from chronic pain.

He launched his effort in hopes of shedding more light on this perplexing situation.

"I think we have a long way to go in educating America's physicians, nurses and health care practitioners about the truth and usefulness of medical cannabis so that they will feel more comfortable using it," Ostrow said.

"This, I think, is the result of the misinformation and myths about marijuana and medical marijuana propagated by the U.S. government since the war on drugs began back in 1937," Ostrow added.

Dr. Ethan Russo, senior medial advisor at The Cannabinoid Research Institute, declared with much conviction that cannabis likely is better for treating some conditions in some patients.

"Most drugs approved by the FDA are not 'new and improved' but rather are 'me too' drugs that are similar to those already on the market," Russo said.

At this point, however, it doesn't look as though the medical profession as a whole is ready to declare that 'it's a go' on marijuana use.

It appears that the majority of people in the profession still oppose the use of medical marijuana, particularly in light of the lack of approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Howard Berger is a member and legislative chairman of the Atlantic County Senior Citizen Advisory Board.

5drive

OTOH, flu shots, which are highly recommended to 'protect your health', put almost 3000 people in hospitals in '07, and killed more than 200.

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Freedom_User

^Yeah. But the pharmaceutical company's get rich off those overly priced drugs. Of course there not going to mention that and the endless other drugs that have a much higher death rate.

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The feds continually use and twist this simple clause as an excuse to expand their own power - at the expense of our liberty.

"If you shot a ton of pot to the Sun, will it burn up and get everyone high?"

Buzzby

The IOM report concluded that smoking marijuana is not a good delivery system for health purposes. They recommended that a non-smoking rapid-onset delivery system be developed. We have that now. It's called "vaporizing".

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