Pubdate: Tue, 31 Jul 2001
Source: Kitchener-Waterloo Record (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001 Kitchener-Waterloo Record
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

POT AS A MEDICINE NEEDS MORE STUDY

In the weird world of politics, policy changes can happen so fast that a 
government once accused of going too slowly is subsequently accused of 
moving too quickly.

A case in point is the federal government's new regulations about the 
medicinal use of marijuana. Until recently, possessing the drug for any 
purpose could result in a criminal conviction. Then, after the courts got 
involved in the debate, convictions for using the drug for medical purposes 
were unlikely.

Nevertheless, there was no proper system to supply a product that the 
courts had become reluctant to ban in an indiscriminate manner. An Ontario 
judge tried to bring some consistency to this bizarre process by requiring 
the federal government to produce regulations clarifying the marijuana law 
within a year. Those regulations came into effect yesterday.

The new rules let doctors prescribe marijuana to patients who are 
terminally ill, have symptoms associated with specific conditions or have 
ailments that have not responded to conventional treatment. In the latter 
case, the consent of two doctors is needed.

The problem is that from a medical viewpoint, far too little clinical 
research has been done on marijuana. This is not surprising considering 
that the drug has been illegal until now. Even so, this means that Canadian 
physicians lack the type of solid information they need before they feel 
confident prescribing a new drug.

The Alberta Medical Association has warned its members to be cautious about 
prescribing marijuana. It is also worried that fraudulent forms could be 
used to get the drug. As well, the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine 
has warned that there may be more risk than benefit in using marijuana for 
medicinal purposes.

Marijuana does not come onto the market as most drugs do. It has a history 
as a so-called recreational drug. Its reputation means that some "patients" 
might see it as akin to the old-time prescription for whisky as a cure for 
countless ailments. The truth may be exaggerated with each drop.

To its credit, the federal government has arranged for clinical studies to 
be conducted but, of course, they take time before all the side-effects can 
be properly understood. At this point, there is a need for a combination of 
common sense, caution, compassion and a lot more research. Drug, medical 
and legal officials have to find the prescription that will lead to 
marijuana being used safely for medicinal purposes and only for those purposes.
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