Pubdate: Fri, 07 Feb 2003
Source: Crimson White, The (Edu, Univ of Alabama)
Copyright: 2003 The Crimson White.
Contact:  http://www.cw.ua.edu/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2451
Author: Libba Jackson-D'Ambrosi
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n186/a06.html

MARIJUANA IS NOT MEDICINE

Regarding Dan Whisenhunt's op-ed piece, which is now posted on the NORML 
Web site, Ed Rosenthal was not "duly appointed officer by the state of 
California." He was appointed by the city of Oakland. Slogans on both sides 
of the drug war are attempts to engage, not the full story. Marijuana 
cannot be considered medicine. It has not met the standards for FDA 
approval that protect patients.

Medicines are not approved by popular opinion through state initiatives.

The Institute of Medicine report did not recommend widespread immediate use 
of marijuana, but supported continued research, which is ongoing.

"If there is any future for marijuana as a medicine, it lies in its 
isolated components, the cannabinoids and their synthetic derivatives. 
Isolated cannabinoids will provide more reliable effects than crude plant 
mixtures," it says. "Therefore, the purpose of clinical trials of smoked 
marijuana would not be to develop marijuana as a licensed drug, but rather 
to serve as a first step toward the development of nonsmoked rapid-onset 
cannabinoid delivery systems."

The recommendations go on to suggest very specific limitations on 
short-term use, which are not required under California current practices.

Yes, children and neighborhoods have rights, too. Parents like myself are 
not surrendering to the forces that hide behind patients to promote 
incremental legalization.

Libba Jackson-D'Ambrosi

San Diego
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MAP posted-by: Alex