Pubdate: Sat, 28 Jul 2001
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2001 The Calgary Sun
Contact:  http://www.fyicalgary.com/calsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Nova Pierson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

POT-SHOTS TAKEN AT DRUG

Doctors Worried About How To Prescribe

Weeding out doctors who'll prescribe medical marijuana could be difficult 
for the terminally ill and those with chronic pain when federal rules 
around the drug's use come into effect Monday.

Alberta Medical Association president Dr. Clayne Steed has written a letter 
to federal Health Minister Allan Rock expressing concerns over the drug -- 
and urged members at the same time to think twice about prescribing it.

"Physicians are being asked to authorize the use of a drug about which we 
don't know the benefits, the risks, the side-effects, the dosage or even 
the potency that's available," said Steed.

"That's not in the best interest of patient safety."

Steed said this is the first time doctors have been asked to OK a drug 
without comprehensive tests to ensure its effectiveness and safety -- and 
clear research suggesting what ailments it works for.

The Canadian Medical Association has already voiced its worries to Rock, 
said president Dr. Peter Barrett, including the possibility some will seek 
the drug for recreational use.

LACKS GUIDELINES

"Doctors have always been concerned about drug shoppers, but at least we 
had guidelines. We're going to be in that position now without guidelines," 
he said.

And Barrett said that could create tension with patients wondering why 
their doctors won't prescribe marijuana.

"It's going to create some problems with the doctor-patient relationship."

Barrett expects some doctors who've been "agitating" for medical 
marijuana's acceptance will prescribe, but the majority won't because they 
don't even know how much to prescribe -- or how patients should take it.

Grant Krieger, a Calgary medical marijuana crusader, is also upset there 
hasn't been the research to distinguish which kinds of marijuana plants, 
cultivated in which ways, work best for certain illnesses.

So, he's applying to the government to be able to run experiments himself 
on the leaf.

But his new Grant Krieger Cannabis Research Foundation is raising doctors' 
eyebrows, said the AMA, including one who'd been asked to complete a form 
from the foundation, rather than the government form.

But Krieger questions the government program -- saying the concentrations 
of THC aren't high enough to relieve pain.

"It's the best muscle relaxant I've come across, especially when I ingest 
it orally in butter on my food," said Krieger.
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MAP posted-by: GD