MARIJUANA-LET MEDICAL SCIENCE ROOT OUT THE TRUE BENEFITS

Recently, the Florida Supreme Court declined to hear the case of
George Sowell, a Panhandle man who smokes marijuana because he claims
it keeps his glaucoma from progressing and alleviates the nausea
caused by transplant medication he takes.

He was convicted in 1995 of cultivating and possessing marijuana after
the trial judge refused to hear Sowell's argument. An appeals court
overturned the conviction, ruling that Sowell could use the medicinal
defense.

Much of what's behind the push for legalized marijuana is not science
but a political campaign driven by big money.

Pro-drug advocates have put the issue of marijuana for medicinal use
on the ballot in California, Arizona and Alaska. Are they true
philanthropists or is medical use a foot in the door to widespread
legalization?

Some ingredients in marijuana may have medicinal qualities. Marinol is
a prescription drug in pill form that has isolated THC, the active
substance in the underlying plant that can relieve some of the
symptoms of AIDS and chemotherapy-related nausea.

But to suggest that a smoked weed with uncontrolled impurities and
negative side effects is a medicine (the only smoked medicine) is a
stretch.

A study by the Institute of Medicine on marijuana made headlines with
its recommendation that marijuana cigarettes be made available to
seriously ill patients.

However, the study clearly states that natural or synthetic marijuana
does not relieve glaucoma.

Researchers also warned of the hazardous side effects from marijuana
smoke, and that safe methods of taking the drug should be developed.

Even for those with AIDS, cancer and other terminal illnesses, the
study was cautious, saying marijuana use should be allowed only under
close supervision by a physician until a more benign, non-smoked form
is available.

But the most compelling recommendation is that research on the effects
of marijuana and its derivatives should continue.

If marijuana has true medical benefits, let medical science root them
out. There is a reliable procedure for the approval of new drugs. Let
it work.

JAMES R. MCDONOUGH,

director,

Office of Drug Control,

Tallahassee