Pubdate: Mon, 02 Dec 2013
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2013 The Arizona Republic
Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Sheila Polk
Page: B6

BUSTING MEDICAL-POT STUDY MYTH

Regarding a Nov. 23 column about medical marijuana "Republic's readers
deserve truth about medical-pot program," Viewpoints):

Dr. Gina Mecagni repeated an urban myth in the debate over marijuana -
that the National Institute on Drug Abuse won't release marijuana "for
research that does not specifically address drug abuse."

A visit to NIDA's website, drug abuse.gov/marijuana-research-nida,
should put this myth to bed forever.

NIDA funds a wide range of research on marijuana, including "potential
therapeutic uses of THC and other cannabinoids in treatment of pain,
HIV and addiction."

NIDA contracts with the University of Mississippi to grow marijuana
for use in research studies at no cost.

Researchers do not need to be funded by the National Institutes of
Health to obtain research-grade marijuana.

For example, the National Cancer Institute is funding a preclinical
study on the potential benefits of cannabinoids for the treatment of
breast-cancer induced bone pain.

Readers should also take note that the American Medical Association
voted last month to retain their long-standing position that "cannabis
is a dangerous drug and as such is a public health concern."

- - Sheila Polk, Prescott

The writer is the Yavapai County attorney and co-chair of MATForce,
the Yavapai County Substance Abuse Coalition.
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MAP posted-by: Matt