U.S. EASES RESTRICTIONS ON A MEDICAL DERIVATIVE OF MARIJUANA

The government has eased restrictions on Marinol, a byproduct of marijuana
that doctors can prescribe to counter some symptoms of AIDS and side effects
of chemotherapy.

National Drug Control Policy Director Barry R. McCaffrey said the capsulized
form of Marinol is the "safe and proper way" to make a form of marijuana
available to the public for medical use.

"This action will make Marinol, which is scientifically proven to be safe
and effective for medical use, more widely available," McCaffrey said Friday.

The Drug Enforcement Administration reclassified Marinol from a "Schedule 2"
drug to the less restrictive "Schedule 3" category. This means that instead
of being classified with drugs like morphine, Marinol is now grouped with
more widely used drugs like codeine.

Marijuana is classified as a "Schedule 1" drug and thus cannot be prescribed
by doctors.

The change comes as dozens of states are grappling with the issue of
legalizing marijuana. Several states, including Oregon and California, have
approved the use of marijuana with a doctor's consent.

McCaffrey, who has remained staunchly opposed to those efforts, said
Friday's change was the result of "pure science. There's no politics involved."

Marinol is the only agent in marijuana that has undergone research and been
developed into a prescription drug. First put on the market in 1985, Marinol
has been used to treat anorexia and weight loss associated with AIDS, and
nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.

With the change in classification, Marinol can now be prescribed by doctors
with the possibility of five prescription refills in six months. The change
also eases record-keeping requirements and distribution restrictions on the
drug.

Supporters of medical marijuana, however, say patients who use it are able
to get the benefits of dozens of other agents in marijuana that are not in
Marinol.

Marinol supporters have touted the fact that doctors are able to prescribe a
specific dosage of the drug, which they cannot set with marijuana use. The
prescribed drug also does not pose the added concern of potential lung
damage from smoking marijuana, Marinol advocates have said.