CALL FOR CAUTION ON CANNABIS

The Australian Medical Association has praised Labor's wide
consultation on drug issues, including the medical use of cannabis
(``AMA salutes drugs plan,'' Daily Telegraph, February 24).

On the other hand, the UN's International Narcotics Control Board is
somewhat cautious in its policy regarding the therapeutic use of
cannabis. On December 12, 2000, the board replied to my inquiry as
follows:

``...any decision on the medical use of cannabis should be based on
clear scientific and medical evidence.

``There have been so far no results made available to the board from
research projects in that area undertaken in the Netherlands, the
United Kingdom and in the US.

``The board considers that governments should refrain from using any
substance pending results of scientific and clinical research.
Moreover, any scheme authorising the production and use of controlled
substances should be in accordance with the control requirements set
by the relevant provisions of the international drug control
conventions.

``Therefore, it is questionable if authorising the medical use of
cannabis is appropriate before the results of scientific and medical
results become available.''

The International Narcotics Control Board has refused to accept mere
anecdotal evidence in place of solid extensive scientific research on
the medical use of cannabis.

Father John George,
Waverley