TUCSON HOSTS TALKS ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Symposium Addresses Legalizing Pot For Medicinal Use

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy hosted a discussion
with national medical experts on the legalization of medical
marijuana Thursday as part of a two-day symposium.

Five medical specialists, including Kevin Sabet, special advisor for
policy and strategic planning for the Office of National Drug Control
Policy, discussed whether medical marijuana should be legal.

The goal of the event, held at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and
Spa, 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd., "is to raise awareness about various
issues of medical development regarding marijuana and to discuss the
experience of states and cities trying to wrestle around these
complicated issues," Sabet said.

Sabet added that "medical marijuana is an enormously complex
issue."

He said medical marijuana contains over 500 chemical compounds, some
of which are still unknown, and needs further research.

"Medicine is best determined by scientific process, not by the ballot
box," he said. "There's certainly more research than there ever has
been and we encourage that scientific process to move forward."

Alice Mead, director of United States professional relations for GW
Pharmaceuticals, agreed with Sabet that more research needs to be
done.

"Certainly we need more research," she said. "Patients need to be
under the close supervision of physicians and pharmacists."

Caren Woodson, director of government affairs for Americans for Safe
Access, said she would like medical marijuana to be removed from it's
current classification as a "schedule 1" drug because medical
marijuana can help patients.

A "schedule 1" drug is one that has been determined to have a high
potential of abuse and is not accepted for medical use, Sabet said.

"We believe cannabis should be a legal option," she said. "We
represent patients. I think the perspective that often gets lost is
the patient's. Patients should have a safe way to access this
information."