Pubdate: Tue, 30 Nov 2004
Source: Today (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004 Today
Contact:  http://www.today.net.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3458
Author: Alvin Capino, Today
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?232 (Chronic Pain)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

MYTHS OF MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

The controversy generated by the proposal of Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao 
to legalize the production of marijuana for use for medical purposes is 
nothing but a tempest in a teapot.

For one, Chungalao gives the impression that there is a big market for 
medicinal marijuana and that his region, where planting of marijuana is 
rampant, would benefit economically from legalization of medicinal 
marijuana. Actually, there is no such market. Even in California, Alaska, 
Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, where state initiatives have 
permitted the use of marijuana as medicine, the market is small and there 
is already an adequate supply of the herb.

It's hard to create a commercial market for something which the customer 
can cultivate at home if allowed to do so legally.

Like the big market for medicinal marijuana, the medical value of marijuana 
can also be another myth or highly exaggerated. The White House Office of 
National Drug Control Policy conducted a study in the late 1990s on the 
medicinal value of marijuana.

The study said that there are indications of a "potential therapeutic value 
for cannabinoid drugs particularly for symptoms such as pain relief, 
control of nausea and vomiting and appetite stimulation" particularly for 
people undergoing chemotherapy and those suffering from "AIDS wasting."

However, it was also pointed out that the "effects of cannabinoids on the 
symptoms studied are generally modest, and in most cases there are more 
effective medications."

The study warned that there are grave risks associated with the medical use 
of marijuana. It said: "Marijuana is not a completely benign substance. It 
is a powerful drug with a variety of effects. However, except for the harms 
associated with smoking, the adverse effects of marijuana use are within 
the range of effects tolerated for other medications."

It emphasized: "The chronic effects of marijuana are of greater concern for 
medical use and fall into two categories: the effect of chronic smoking and 
the effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Marijuana smoking is associated 
with abnormalities of cell lining the human respiratory tract. Marijuana 
smoke, like tobacco smoke is associated with increased risk of cancer, lung 
damage and poor pregnancy outcomes."

The case being heard this week by the US Supreme Court on medicinal 
marijuana should prove interesting to Chungalao and would convince him that 
there are no economic benefits for his marijuana-planting constituents in 
the legalization of medicinal marijuana.

The case arising from a lawsuit filed by Angel Raich simply wants the court 
to protect her from the federal government and allow her and other people 
like her for whom prescription medicines offer no relief for the pain of a 
brain tumor and other illnesses to use marijuana and grow it in their own 
backyard.

Chungalao can forget any idea of exporting marijuana even in US states 
where it is allowed to be used for medical purposes provided it is not 
sold, not transported across state line and not used for nonmedicinal purpose.
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