Pubdate: Tue, 27 Feb 2001
Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 News Limited
Contact:  2 Holt Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010
Fax: (02) 9288-2300
Website: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/
Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Author: Father John George

CALL FOR CAUTION ON CANNABIS

The Australian Medical Association has praised Labor's wide 
consultation on drug issues, including the medical use of cannabis 
(``AMA salutes drugs plan,'' Daily Telegraph, February 24).

On the other hand, the UN's International Narcotics Control Board is 
somewhat cautious in its policy regarding the therapeutic use of 
cannabis. On December 12, 2000, the board replied to my inquiry as 
follows:

``...any decision on the medical use of cannabis should be based on 
clear scientific and medical evidence.

``There have been so far no results made available to the board from 
research projects in that area undertaken in the Netherlands, the 
United Kingdom and in the US.

``The board considers that governments should refrain from using any 
substance pending results of scientific and clinical research. 
Moreover, any scheme authorising the production and use of controlled 
substances should be in accordance with the control requirements set 
by the relevant provisions of the international drug control 
conventions.

``Therefore, it is questionable if authorising the medical use of 
cannabis is appropriate before the results of scientific and medical 
results become available.''

The International Narcotics Control Board has refused to accept mere 
anecdotal evidence in place of solid extensive scientific research on 
the medical use of cannabis.

Father John George,
Waverley
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