Pubdate: Fri, 30 Jan 2015
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2015 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Contact:  http://www.ajc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Author: Manoj H. Shah
Note: Dr. Shah is the president of the Medical Association of Georgia.

RESEARCH NEEDED ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) supports the use of 
marijuana in strictly controlled medical research programs for 
patients who have cancer or glaucoma or who suffer from seizures as a 
result of refractory epilepsy.

This is an important issue for MAG, which is the leading voice for 
the medical profession in Georgia with more than 7,500 member 
physicians who represent every specialty and practice setting in the state.

MAG appreciates the steps that lawmakers in Georgia are taking to 
reach out to physicians as they craft legislation to address medical 
marijuana. We also applaud them for seeking solutions for the 
patients and family members who have to cope with these serious 
medical conditions on a daily basis.

The medical profession does not have any definitive, black-and-white 
research (i.e., evidence) when it comes to the efficacy of medical marijuana.

Our policy is based on "uncontrolled" research that suggests that 
there is a good chance that cannabidiol - an ingredient in the 
marijuana plant that does not get the patient high - may provide some 
patients with some health benefits (e.g., ameliorating epilepsy in children).

Unfortunately, more comprehensive studies simply aren't available 
because, at least in part, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has 
classified every cannabinoid as a controlled substance (i.e., it has 
been illegal).

The landscape is changing as a result of several key developments. 
First, President Obama has signed an executive order that cleared the 
way for clinical research to take place in academic settings (i.e., 
the federal government won't actively enforce the law). Second, a 
number of states have passed laws to decriminalize or legalize 
cannabinoidal products.

Because a physician can't legally "prescribe" a cannabidiol to a 
patient today as a result of the aforementioned FDA classification, 
these products could end up being classified as supplements. MAG 
consequently believes that the state should regulate the quality of 
the products that are used in clinical trials to safeguard patients. 
MAG is also calling for product labels that include dose and 
composition and purity information.

Clinical trials are already underway with pediatric neurology 
patients in Atlanta, and Georgia Regents University will begin two 
cannabinoid trials for patients who have refractory epilepsy later this year.

MAG will be focused on ensuring that the products that are used in 
these trials are truly safe for patients. In addition, we will 
monitor developments to ensure that the physicians who care for these 
patients aren't held liable for any civil or criminal penalties for 
violating the federal statutes in the event they are enforced in the future.

It is also worth noting that in order to avoid being at odds with 
federal law (i.e., the FDA classification), the patients who 
participate in the clinical trials in Georgia will obtain the 
cannabinoid products with a physician's "recommendation" rather than 
a prescription.

As a final but important aside, Georgians should know that MAG 
opposes the use of marijuana and its derivatives (e.g., THC) for any 
purpose other than medical research. We adopted this policy for good 
medical reasons.

The bottom line is that MAG supports the use of marijuana in strictly 
controlled medical research programs so physicians can obtain some 
much-needed patient safety and product efficacy research so they can 
do what is best for their patients, and so they can help the state 
determine what additional steps it should consider taking on this 
front in the future.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom