Pubdate: Mon, 2 Jun 2008 Source: Kalamazoo Gazette (MI) Copyright: 2008 Kalamazoo Gazette Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/vggfBDch Website: http://www.mlive.com/kzgazette/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/588 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n506/a09.html Author: Dr. Lee A. Bricker VOTERS SHOULDN'T DECIDE MEDICAL VALUE OF DRUG Bob Leppen wrote on May 11 that he believes marijuana should be legalized for medical reasons. He implied that many very sick patients need it, and their efforts to obtain it render them felons. He also advanced his view (with which I agree) that "weed" should be legal, and is probably less harmful than alcohol and tobacco. And, he noted, importantly (and correctly) that the jails would be less overcrowded. All sound points, but I disagree with the legalization of marijuana for medical uses for three reasons: 1. A purified form of marijuana (dronabinol) is already available in FDA approved form in hospital formularies, for treating nausea in cancer and other very sick patients and for stimulating appetite. 2. Many physicians believe that there are other agents available in the formulary that do those jobs as well as, or better, than this pure marijuana product. 3. Marijuana as "weed," if it is to be used as a medicine, should meet the same criteria that any other medication must meet in order to be approved. These criteria involve purity, established safety and FDA approval. When "the people," empowered by the ballot or the Legislature, are given the power to approve -- or disapprove -- one or another medication or medical measure, using criteria likely to be less than completely objective and scientific, the risks of unfortunate, unintended consequences tend to become significant. The question of the general legalization of marijuana, as alcohol and tobacco are now legal, is a totally different matter, and has sound arguments in its favor that should stimulate legitimate and vigorous discussion. Confusing this discussion with one involving the care of sick patients, however, should be avoided. They are not the same issue Dr. Lee A. Bricker Kalamazoo - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake