Pubdate: Tue, 04 Jun 2002 Source: Kalamazoo Gazette (MI) Copyright: 2002 Kalamazoo Gazette Contact: http://kz.mlive.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/588 Author: Tala Rassool Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) MARIJUANA NOT AS EFFECTIVE This is in response to a letter to the editor by Jacqulene Brandt on May 20. People who organize for the cause against "...withholding medicine for the people by not allowing marijuana to be medically organized" need to be informed -- along with every health care provider I have spoken to about this issue who have not heard of Marinol (dronabinol). This is delta-9-THC, the active component in marijuana, an antiemetic (antinausea drug). The very fact that this drug exists makes marijuana rights activists' argument invalid. We are not trying to legalize heroin and cocaine, they are already used in pharmaceutical forms, one being the oldest medication and most effective analgesic and the other used in nasal surgery. Smoking marijuana simply hasn't been proven to be as effective as other antiemetics. Perhaps this is why no one has heard of Marinol. I have seen an IV solution of Marinol listed but only capsules are listed in recent references. Imagine a patient smoking something in a hospital that cannot be regulated as to content or dosage. There is no reason to justify legalizing marijuana for medical purposes other than to become one step closer to complete legalization. This is the foot-in-the-door tactic used by many special interest groups such as pro-lifers. I really have no opinion on legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, I only wish to share information. Tala Rassool Portage - --- MAP posted-by: Josh