MEDICAL MARIJUANA: NEW RESEARCH WILL TEST EFFECTS ON PATIENTS

WHILE the public appears to support the use of marijuana for medical
reasons, there has never been definitive proof of the drug's healing
powers. Now a number of studies may finally answer those questions.

That's reassuring news for people who suffer from illnesses such as cancer,
AIDS, and glaucoma, and who feel they could possibly benefit from the
medicinal use of marijuana. Many doctors say the drug eases nausea and
discomfort in patients undergoing chemotherapy, counters appetite and
weight loss associated with AIDS, and relieves eye pressure caused by
glaucoma. In fact, some patients say it is the only treatment that works to
relieve their suffering.

Until now, the evidence has been largely anecdotal, based mainly on the
testimonials of sick people who feel the drug has helped them. But that is
not the kind of evidence that can convince medical experts or serve as the
basis for widespread use by patients. Given all the anecdotal evidence, no
matter how compelling, scientific study is long overdue.

That's why it makes sense that at least five studies are now planned to
investigate those claims, with three sponsored by the National Institutes
of Health. Most of the new research will probably examine the use of
marijuana to treat pain, relieve nausea, and stop weight and appetite loss.
It may also answer the question of whether the drug can help treat muscle
spasticity conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

Overall, the results of these studies should determine, fairly quickly,
whether medical marijuana use is significantly helpful to patients or not,
and whether it works better than existing prescription drugs.

Adding to the equation is the recent announcement by the U.S. Supreme Court
that it will hear arguments on whether marijuana can be provided to
patients based on medical necessity, even though it is illegal under
federal law to distribute the drug. The case, to be heard next year,
involves the federal government's efforts to prevent a California group
from providing marijuana to seriously ill patients. In addition to
California, eight states have medical marijuana laws in place or approved
by voters.

The states have proceeded on their own, without any medical consensus on
the effectiveness of the drug, and in defiance of federal law. That's why
the Supreme Court's involvement in the medical marijuana issue, coupled
with the pending research, is welcome.