Benson, John A_ 1/1/1997 - 31/12/2024
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1 US: Marihuana and MedicineThu, 09 Sep 1999
Source:New England Journal of Medicine (MA) Author:Benson, John A. Area:United States Lines:153 Added:09/10/1999

The medical use of marijuana has polarized public opinion, particularly because of its widespread recreational use over the past 30 years.

Those in favor of its medical use point to the apparent safety of this ancient and "natural" remedy, the profusion of anecdotal and survey-based evidence of marijuana's effectiveness, and the importance in today's culture of personal choice. This view has been expressed at the ballot box since November 1996 by referendums in several states. Those opposed, troubled by this potential gateway to serious drug abuse, especially among adolescents, regard acceptance of the medical use of marijuana as the camel's nose under the tent, legitimizing a dangerous relaxation of the nation's "war on drugs." Both sides come from all age groups and levels of society, and both claim their own scientific evidence.

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2US OR: OPED: The Pot Issue: Separating Smoke From ScienceSat, 08 May 1999
Source:Oregonian, The (OR) Author:Benson, John A. Jr. Area:Oregon Lines:Excerpt Added:05/10/1999

* Marijuana Indeed Shows Medical Potential, But The Delivery System Shouldn't Involve Smoking

When a study on the medical use of marijuana was issued recently, advocates for legalizing the drug cheered the report's conclusions that marijuana's compounds do have some potential as medicine. Their opponents, however, cited the report's caveat that the harmful effects of smoking far outweigh marijuana's potential benefits for most patients.

Both sides are right. And this is not scientific hair-splitting.

To date, it has been nearly impossible to separate scientific evidence about marijuana's potential from larger societal concerns about its use. But doing so may be the key to advancing the rancorous debate over this issue since medical marijuana began to appear on state ballot initiatives in the mid-1990s.

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3 US MA: OPED: Strike A Balance In The Marijuana DebateTue, 13 Apr 1999
Source:Standard-Times (MA) Author:Benson, John A. Jr. Area:Massachusetts Lines:99 Added:04/13/1999

Everyone seemed to declare victory when a study on the medical use of marijuana was issued last month. Advocates for legalizing such use said the report aided their cause by concluding that the compounds in marijuana do have some potential as medicine. Their opponents, on the other hand, cheered the report's conclusion that the harmful effects of smoking far outweigh potential benefits for most patients. In reality, both sides are right. The study -- which we led for the Institute of Medicine -- firmly concluded that the active compounds in marijuana do have potential as medicine. But that future does not involve smoking.

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