Pubdate: Sat, 01 Feb 2014
Source: Boston Herald (MA)
Copyright: 2014 The Boston Herald, Inc
Contact:  http://news.bostonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53
Note: Prints only very short LTEs.
Author: Priyanka Dayal McCluskey

MEDICAL SOCIETY DOC QUESTIONS MEDICAL VALUE OF MARIJUANA

A top doctor blasted Massachusetts' medical marijuana law and 
questioned the medicinal value of the substance yesterday as state 
officials gave approval to 20 pot shops.

"As the state opens this new chapter in public health, the 
Massachusetts Medical Society must remind patients of the 
Commonwealth that there is insufficient scientific information about 
the safety of marijuana when used for 'medicinal' purposes," Dr. 
Ronald Dunlap, society president, said in a statement.

He added that marijuana hasn't been thoroughly tested by the Food and 
Drug Administration, and said it poses potential health risks, 
especially to young patients.

Dunlap told the Herald he also worries that some doctors' offices 
will end up rubber-stamping patients' weed requests.

"I think there's going to be an industry to certify in and of itself," he said.

Dunlap, a cardiologist in Weymouth, also echoed the concern of some 
public safety officials who say the drug will "leak" to people who 
aren't authorized to use it.

"It could be a public health problem," he said, "especially if it 
gets in the hands of children."

Under state law, physicians will have to certify patients' requests 
for marijuana to treat pain and other conditions. The DPH will track 
patients who use marijuana in an online database.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom