ON MARIJUANA AS MEDICINE

I agree that scientific studies on medical uses of marijuana are long
overdue ("Medical marijuana," Editorial, Dec. 5). However, I question
whether testing marijuana as a medicine is even practical.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most active ingredient in pot, has been
available since the 1980s in synthetic pill form called Marinol. Testing
has been completed on this product. One of the drawbacks is that Marinol
takes a few hours to become effective, and then it is almost impossible to
maintain at therapeutic levels in the bloodstream. A cigarette is an
efficient drug delivery system. The chemicals reach the bloodstream in
seconds and then go directly to the brain. The user can regulate the
effects puff by puff.

We know of marijuana's effectiveness largely from the testimonials of sick
people who say it is the only treatment that works to relieve their
suffering. This fact should be sufficiently satisfactory evidence to
regulators.

Patients have already stated that marijuana relieves their pain and helps
stop weight and appetite loss. How many more studies are needed and at what
cost? It is my understanding Canada began clinical trials in 1999. What are
the results of those studies?

At issue is the job of making marijuana an official prescription medicine.
In its natural form, it cannot be patented. Therefore, drug companies have
not undertaken the costly testing and could stand to lose millions on their
products should it become legal to distribute as a medicine. Once again, it
is the patient who loses out to the interests of the big lobbyists.

Lynne M. Kook, Palisades Park, Dec. 10

The writer is a registered nurse.