PHYSICIANS DIVIDED ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE

There are many questions about which physicians are uncertain.

One of them centers on the use of marijuana to treat illnesses.

A measure pending in the state Legislature could authorize the use of
medical marijuana to relieve symptoms in seriously ill patients.

The state would maintain a registry of people with debilitating medical
conditions, such as HIV or AIDS, cancer and glaucoma. Photo identification
cards would be issued to those on the registry, and they could possess a
limited number of marijuana plants and usable marijuana.

Some in the medical profession believe marijuana, or medical cannabis, is
useful in treating some diseases.

The Institute of Medicine conducted a study in 1999 that concluded smoking
marijuana should not be considered a treatment for any specific disease
due to the health risks, such as memory impairment, decreased lung
function, impaired immune response and possible adverse effects on heart
function.

However, researchers concluded doing so can ease nausea, appetite loss,
pain and anxiety.

Researchers also determined the long-term risks of marijuana use are not
of great concern to some patients, including those who are terminally ill
or have debilitating symptoms.

Dr. David G. Ostrow, founder of the Medical Marijuana Policy Advocacy
Project, is among those who believe marijuana could help those who are
terminally ill or suffer from chronic pain.

He launched his effort in hopes of shedding more light on this perplexing
situation.

"I think we have a long way to go in educating America's physicians,
nurses and health care practitioners about the truth and usefulness of
medical cannabis so that they will feel more comfortable using it," Ostrow
said.

"This, I think, is the result of the misinformation and myths about
marijuana and medical marijuana propagated by the U.S. government since
the war on drugs began back in 1937," Ostrow added.

Dr. Ethan Russo, senior medial advisor at The Cannabinoid Research
Institute, declared with much conviction that cannabis likely is better
for treating some conditions in some patients.

"Most drugs approved by the FDA are not 'new and improved' but rather are
'me too' drugs that are similar to those already on the market," Russo
said.

At this point, however, it doesn't look as though the medical profession
as a whole is ready to declare that 'it's a go' on marijuana use.

It appears that the majority of people in the profession still oppose the
use of medical marijuana, particularly in light of the lack of approval
from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.