BAD NEWS FOR POT SMOKERS

Ounce for ounce, a British study says, marijuana does more damage than tobacco

Since former federal Health minister Alan Rock approved the use of
marijuana for "grave and debilitating" illnesses in July 2001, the Office
of Cannabis Medical Access has issued 432 authorizations to individuals.
Health Canada warns them that it has not tested or approved the use of
marijuana "for its safety, efficacy and quality." In fact, it's not safe
according to a review of scientific evidence on cannabis smoking and
respiratory ailments by the British Lung Foundation.

The BLF study, released in November, reported that today's marijuana joint
contains an average of 150 milligrams of tetrahydrocanabinol (THC), the
psychoactive and pain-relieving element, compared to 10 mg in the 1960s.
That difference may negate longitudinal studies based on users from the
'60s, says the BLF. Smoking three to four joints a day produces acute and
chronic bronchitis comparable to 20 or more cigarettes. One possible
reason: potheads inhale more deeply and hold the smoke in their lungs
longer than nicotine addicts.

The BLF study also noted that research remains inconclusive on the link
between pot smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and
respiratory cancer.

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) opposes the medical use of marijuana
without solid scientific evidence and further rigorous testing.
CMA President Dana Hanson says doctors are in a tough position. "We don't
know the harmful effects of this drug, we don't know how it interacts with
other medications and we don't have any scientific evidence about its
effectiveness. So why are we proceeding with it?" The CMA supports further
research, but it must be as rigorous and thorough as for any other drug.

The only peer-reviewed clinical trial approved by the federal government is
at the McGill Pain Centre. Mark Ware will conduct a pilot project on 30
patients. They will receive therapeutic doses of standardized and
homogeneous cannabis for five days to study its effectiveness for
controlling pain. "Most of the scientific studies have been done on
recreational users," says Dr. Ware. This study will use cannabis produced
by the U.S. government.

Smoked cannabis has a different effect than THC taken orally.

The oral drug takes about an hour-and-a-half to be absorbed into the liver,
and absorption changes the drug. Inhaling the smoke provides immediate
delivery into the bloodstream, more like intravenous. The pilot study will
report on all the side effects, as well as pain relief.

Most drugs have side effects, Dr. Ware says. For instance, "Advil can cause
gastric problems, but the risk is acceptable because of its ability to
reduce pain." If his pilot shows that marijuana is an effective short-term
pain reliever, a larger, longer-term study will follow.

The McGill researcher thinks pot should be approved for terminal patients
if it is the most effective pain reliever.

Non-terminal patients may have to wait for more investigation into side
effects, he suggests: "I don't think a doctor would use a drug approved for
short-term pain relief, for a long-term use."