Pubdate: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 Source: Canadian Family Physician (Canada) Copyright: 2007 The College of Family Physicians of Canada Contact: http://www.cfpc.ca Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4389 Author: Robert Shepherd Note: Response by Mark Ware, MB BS MSc Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada) STONED BY LACK OF EVIDENCE In the debate on medical marijuana in the December 2006 issue,1 Dr Ware wrote, "Cannabis has not yet been formally evaluated in clinical trials." His conclusion that "there is solid scientific rationale for therapeutic use of cannabis" is therefore not supported by the information that he provided. --Robert Shepherd Victoria, BC by fax Reference 1. Ware M. Is there a role for marijuana in medical practice? Yes [Debate]. Can Fam Physician 2006:52:1531-3 (Eng), 1535-7 (Fr). Response Dr Shepherd is correct to point out the gap between scientific rationale and clinical evidence, and physicians certainly need more information than was permitted in the debate to formulate their own positions on medical marijuana. My contribution should not be interpreted as definitive, but should be seen for what it was: one perspective suggesting that cannabis has potential therapeutic value. More clinical research is needed to determine the true risk-benefit ratio for clinical use of cannabis. --Mark Ware, MB BS MSc Montreal, Que by e-mail