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When a federal appeals court this week snuffed out the possibility of re-classifying marijuana, it did so with a simple argument: pot has no “currently accepted medical use.” What would it take to change its tune? “Adequate and well-controlled studies proving efficacy,” according to the Drug Enforcement Agency.
So, how is it possible that the problem is a simple lack of studies? Researchers have been studying marijuana for decades. Actually anyone who’s ever read the back pages of a city rag can testify that medical marijuana studies are rampant. And not all of them are clinical trials that sell themselves as “Want to Smoke Weed and Get Paid?” There are about 100 on-going trials listed by the National Institutes of Health. Consider a fascinating sample list of health conditions for which medical pot has been tried as treatment (emphasis is mine):
Nausea and Vomiting, Appetite Loss, Spasticity, Headache/Migraine, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Bladder Dysfunction, Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Diarrhoea, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tremor, Dystonia, Hiccups, Tourette’s Syndrome, Tics, Hyperkinetic Movement Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Trichotillomania, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, Traumatic Brain Injury, Tinnitus, Pruritus, Night Sweats, Epilepsy, Isaacs’ Syndrome, Intraocular Pressure, Night Vision, Asthma, Bronchodilation, Blood Pressure/Hypertension, Cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, Neuroprotection, Schizophrenic Psychosis, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Alcohol Dependency, Opioid Dependency, Cocaine/Crack Dependency, Cannabis Dependency, Sleep
In fact, Americans for Safe Access cited more than 200 published studies demonstrating marijuana’s efficacy for various medical uses, including a 1999 study by the respected Institute of Medicine, a government adviser on health issues. So what gives?
Basically the feds aren’t stoked on the quality of the research. The peer-reviewed studies are considered “phase I” testing under the FDA’s criteria and don’t meet the “phase II or III” definition based on how long the clinical trial extend and the limited number of participants involved. That’s according to Alex Kreit, associate professor at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, who specializes in controlled substance law. Kreit says he was a little surprised the court accepted the DEA’s line of argument without deeper consideration of the quality and quantity of study that’s been performed over the years, but he expects it will be the subject of appeals. More on tonight’s show with Kreit about the Los Angeles medical marijuana ballot initiatives, here.
You can hear the Which Way, LA? on this topic, below:
The marijuana dispensary culture flourishing in California isn't helping to convince people here of the drug's medicinal validity. These places are clearly fronts to sell to recreational users. Can't sleep? Marijuana will cure your problems. Can't stay awake? Marijuana will cure your problems. If marijuana is to be taken seriously as a medication, these pot shops on every corner need to be shut down and the drug should be prescribed by real doctors and dispensed by legitimate, well regulated pharmacies. I was initially a fan of medicinal use, but I've since become convinced that it's a farce.
The problem with many of these studies is that they can be manipulated to 'prove' the results you are trying to highlight – the government will always, apparantly, look to take the negatives in order to warrant it being illegal. Here's hoping some of these initiatives work!
I agree with RDL. These marijuana dispensaries must be closed down, if the MJ is to be seen a legitimate medicine and a natural cure for IBS and other ailments listed above.
Being prescribed only by certified GP's (doctors) and regulated pharmacies is the only way marijuana will become credible as a legit medicine.
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Actually, I think it's gotten to the point that society needs a lot more than these studies to recognize the side effects of pot. The only problem is how to implement any possible steps on such a wide scale.
So many ailments that it can treat, it's funny that night vision is one of them.
Wow I have been taking part in the wrong studies :O) great post guys
Up to this day I still believe that marijuana should have been legal to consume. How is it fair to the public that alcohol is legal and marijuana ain't. The reality is that the herbs is peace and other drugs and pills are the real destroyer. I just don't get it.
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Ive smoked all my life and dont touch alcohol at all. Something needs to be done so that everyone can enjoy themselves without committing a crime. It helps with my creativity seo cincinnati sorry to go off subject. I also have medical conditions and also feel for people that need it medically more than recreationally. All we need is legalization and either at least allow doctors to dispense it or just put it on the shelf with liquor and 21 and over rules. Our world economy would be a whole lot better off not to mention all the money wasted arresting people for stupid stuff. rant over
great info
They will never legalize it because the pharma company's make way too much money to let the wonder drug be available to everyone. I think the need to make a reality show with someone using this for medical reasons.
Actually, I think it's gotten to the point that society needs a lot more than these studies to recognize the side effects of pot.
There are many naturally growing plants that have medicinal properties so why would this be any different.
Great post and an interesting blog.
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Like everything else in the medical fraternity, everything should be based on evidenced based research. If we have clinical trials that shows that some patients benefited, we should fully embrace it. Thank God that now the attention seems to be focused on natural plants that can help humanity eradicate suffering and boost overall health.
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It will take a great social awareness of medical usage of cannabis to discard the negative image of cannabis. You cannot blame people for their prejudice against this plant as people and a lot of them are abusing this plant.
Marijuana has been used for so many years to treat different medical conditions. People in the Sacramento area use Marijuana to ease their anxieties and even depression and some cancer patients in the region testify that Marijuana helps them relieve pain related with their ailment. They felt better just by smoking dried weeds and felt a bit stronger by taking marijuana capsules
It is absolutely insane for anyone to claim that marijuana has "no currently accepted medical use."
It's time that the people stand up and let the federal government know we are not going to tolerate this.
Click Here to Sign The Petition
The problem with many of these studies is that they can be manipulated to 'prove' the results you are trying to highlight – the government will always, apparently, look to take the negatives in order to warrant it being illegal. Here's hoping some of these initiatives work!
good post, thanks
How is it that the medical uses for marijuana debate is still up for… debate? This is a clear-cut case of turning a blind eye and burying heads in the sand as a matter of course and convenience… Absurd!
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It's been a while since this debate has been going on. I wonder when it will finally be resolved.
When will the federal government catch up with the people on the use of Marijuana. Medicinal Marijuana use has been going on since the plant was found. It's nothing new.
Another state recently approved the Medical Use of Marijuana. It would be so much easier and faster if the Feds would make it main stream as well.
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"Marijuana is classified as a Controlled Substance and Categorized as having a high capacity for abuse". What abuse? Abuse is a very subjective term in and of itself.
Anything that is used too much or used in the wrong manner has a high capacity for abuse. The American people should be able to decide for themselves if they wish to consume marijuana or not, we should not even have a Government agency determining what is safe and what is not safe for use or what is, and is not legal for adults to use.
One question in these difficult economic times that doesn't seem to get a lot of attention is the economic benefits that would flow from the legalization of cannabis. Not only would there be a significant new product to tax (think alcohol and cigarette excise), there would also be a drop in policing costs, court costs etc regarding managing the current illegality. So, as well as the many other reasons supporting legalization, we also have an economic reason for legalizing cannabis as well (revenue raising and expenditure saving). Should have bipartisan support!
I've just started a petition to show support for legalization of cannabis so please think about signing up here: >> http://thelegalizationofcannabis.com/petition-3/
While marijuana may have some medical benefits, there is no doubt that making it legal would create a firestorm. On the flip side, it would bring a big hit to the organizations currently selling it illegally.
Derek
// Recent Blog Post: Finding a Dermatologist in Austin
Everything that's growing from the Earth is a blessing. I never didn't hear that someone die over pot.
Yea, yea but did you people know that after i don't know how much, let's say 50 years ago, all medical drugs were made from marihuana ingredients and then the chemical industry came and took the market so they can make biiiiig profits. It's scientifically proven that the human body it self produces THC as the same needs for getting hungry, forget things, remember things etc.
Here is youtube video where is a cut of what really the chemical industry did. The video descibes how diet pilss effect on weight loss thus why they are so effective bud bad in same time. Please just listen how they work in your body and how THC is conected to the same.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qFuBdw6VlM
Thanks
Most people who use marijuana do so occasionally. Increasing admissions for treatment do not reflect increasing rates of clinical dependence. According to a federal Institute of Medicine study in 1999, fewer than 10 percent of those who try marijuana ever meet the clinical criteria for dependence, while 32 percent of tobacco users and 15 percent of alcohol users do. According to federal data, marijuana treatment admissions referred by the criminal justice system rose from 48 percent in 1992 to 58 percent in 2006. Just 45 percent of marijuana admissions met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for marijuana dependence. More than a third hadn’t used marijuana in the 30 days prior to admission for treatment.
If it has no medical use then why is big pharma developing new drugs from cannabis. The federal government's refusal to reschedule to a class 2 substance is purely money motivated. It's time to stand up and demand change.
I am very happy to be here because this is a very good site that provides lots of information about the topics covered in depth. I'm glad to see that people are actually writing about this issue in such a smart way, showing us all different sides to it. Please keep it up. I cant wait to read whats next and Thanks for sharing this.
This is ridiculous i think medical marijuana gonna should be accepted everywhere. Its the best to Watch American Idol Online while being high
According to federal data, marijuana treatment admissions referred by the criminal justice system rose from 48 percent in 1992 to 58 percent in 2006. Just 45 percent of marijuana admissions met the Diagnostic Dovolena and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for marijuana dependence. More than a third hadn’t used marijuana in the 30 days prior to admission for treatment.
If it has no medical use then why is big pharma developing new drugs from cannabis. The federal government's refusal to reschedule to a class 2 substance is purely money motivated. It's time to stand up and demand change.
Have a nice day
Stancy Picamilon
Marijuana has been used for so many years to treat different medical conditions. People in the Sacramento area use Marijuana to ease their anxieties and even depression and some cancer patients in the region testify that Marijuana helps them relieve pain related with their ailment. They felt better just by smoking dried weeds and felt a bit stronger by taking marijuana capsules
Personally I love marijuana , it puts me in a good mood. In rybarske potreby is possible to buy on prescription in slovakia. I have medical issues so i need it :P
If it has no medical use then why is big pharma developing new drugs from cannabis. The federal government's refusal to reschedule to a class 2 substance is purely money motivated. It's time to stand up and demand change. http://treatmentforfloatersintheeye.blogspot.com