Pubdate: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 Source: National Post (Canada) Copyright: 2010 Canwest Publishing Inc. Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/O3vnWIvC Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n153/a01.html Author: David Saul, M.D. MARIJUANA DOES HELP CERTAIN PATIENTS Re: MDs Should Not Encourage Pot Use, letter to the editor, March 2. Dr. Meldon Kahan is correct to be concerned about cannabis and the risk of psychotic symptoms. Studies reveal that the main increased risk remains for teens and individuals with established psychotic disorders. From the European Archives of Psychiatry (2009): "It is likely that cannabis exposure is a component cause, that interacts with other factors to 'cause' schizophrenia or a psychotic disorder, but is neither necessary nor sufficient to do so alone." From the International Journal of Drug Policy (2010): "The criteria for causal association between cannabis and psychosis are supported by the cohort studies reviewed, but the contentious issue of whether cannabis use can cause serious psychotic disorders that would otherwise not have occurred cannot be answered from the existing data." What does this mean to doctors and medical cannabis patients? No different than any other medical treatment: close monitoring for benefits and side effects, compliance of dosing, negative risk avoidance strategies. In other words: pick and choose your patients, pick and choose your drug therapy, follow up regularly. It is science, not unfounded fear, which should dictate the practice of medicine. Dr. David Saul, Toronto. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake