FOR THE RECORD

Medical marijuana: An article in last week's Health section on
medical marijuana said the drug's active compounds passed through the
liver when smoked but not when they are swallowed. In fact, the
reverse is true: When swallowed, the chemicals travel straight to the
liver from the stomach. When inhaled, chemicals do get to the liver,
but in lowered amounts. The article also referred to doctors as
"prescribing" marijuana for medical use. Technically, in states where
medical use of marijuana is legal, doctors cannot prescribe it.
Instead, in California, they write "recommendations" for patients,
who can then legally obtain it or grow it.