URGES DEVELOPMENT OF NON-SMOKED DRUGS

'What Marijuana Legalizers Won't Tell You: Substance Found in
Marijuana Can Be Delivered Through Various Legal Means,' Maginnis Says

After a thorough analysis of the literature on marijuana, the Institute
of Medicine (IOM) has determined that crude marijuana is not up to par with
other medicines in the United States. The IOM's report released Wednesday
rejected the theory that marijuana is a medicine, citing its negative health
consequences. "This has been our stance for years," said Robert
Maginnis, Family Research Council Senior Director for National
Security and Foreign Affairs. "Providing good medicine -- not
marijuana -- is the compassionate response to patients' pain and illnesses."

The IOM report said, "Because of the health risks associated with
smoking, smoked marijuana should generally not be recommended for
long-term medical use."

Maginnis said, "What marijuana legalizers won't tell you is that a
substance found in marijuana can be delivered through various legal
means."

One substance contained in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC), is currently available in legal, prescription forms taken
orally. Other means of delivering the drug, such as through inhalers,
which deliver the drug more rapidly to the bloodstream, are currently
being developed.

The IOM did recommend strictly limited trials in which those who have
attempted and failed every other means of therapy would use crude
marijuana in a highly controlled setting for no more than six months.
The report said, "The goal of the clinical trials would not be to
develop marijuana as a licensed drug, but rather as a first step
towards the possible development of nonsmoked, rapid-onset
cannabinoid delivery systems."

Maginnis said, "Marijuana legalizers are making serious gains across
America by using the issue of 'medical' marijuana and the vehicle of
compassion to buy sympathy votes. It's time for law-abiding Americans
to take account of drug legalizers' gains, their consequences, their
future threat, and what must be done to reverse them.

"Sick and dying people do not need marijuana. They need good medicine,
which our doctors have available for every ailment marijuana
allegedly helps."