Pubdate: Wed, 29 Jan 2014
Source: Times-Tribune, The (Scranton PA)
Copyright: 2014 Townnews.com
Contact:  http://www.thetimes-tribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4440
Note: Staff And Wire Reports Michael Iorfino, Staff Writer, Contributed To
This Report.

DOCS' VIEWS DIFFER ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Medical, Psychiatric Societies Discuss Issues

While Pennsylvania's debate over medical marijuana took center stage
in the state capital Tuesday, doctors offered conflicting opinions
about whether its potential risks and side effects outweigh the benefits.

Tony Stile, M.D., a psychiatrist from Pittsburgh, said marijuana is
not a safe medication, and can lead to addiction in about 9 percent of
regular users. Erik Rupard, M.D., a cancer specialist from Reading,
said it's unclear whether pot is addictive, but that if it relieves
the pain of terminal patients, it's a moot point, The Associated Press
reported.

The panel of physicians discussed the issue during a teleconference on
Tuesday held by the Pennsylvania Medical Society and Pennsylvania
Psychiatric Society. It preceded a state Senate hearing over a bill to
legalize marijuana for medical purposes, where parents of children who
suffer from seizures made emotional appeals to a committee to allow
doctors to prescribe marijuana extracts.

Gov. Tom Corbett opposes the legislation of marijuana for medicinal
and recreational uses.

At the hearing, the medical society's chief executive officer, Mike
Fraser, Ph.D., testified the group does not recommend the use of
medical marijuana. He cited a need for further research to demonstrate
it is safe and effective in patient care.

For now, the medical group wants the federal government to downgrade
marijuana's status as a schedule one drug - defined as something that
has no medical use - to facilitate research.

"If we take this off a schedule one status there will be more private
organizations, more pharmaceutical companies that may be interested in
exploring the various substances in medical marijuana," Dr. Rupard
said.

The controversial legislation was a talking point among Lackawanna
County physicians as well.

Lori Williams, M.D., president of the county's medical society, said
she believes marijuana should be used for medical purposes as a last
resort, when a physician has exhausted other options.

Unlike Dr. Lee Harris, a neurologist in Abington who said studies have
shown medical marijuana can help alleviate chronic pain and muscle
stiffness, Dr. Williams doesn't believe the drug will greatly benefit
those patients.

"It's not going to be the great wonder drug," she said.

While more research is needed, president-elect of the Lackawanna
County Medical Society Ariane Conaboy, D.O., said she sees a potential
benefit in using marijuana for medical purposes, especially among
certain cancer patients.

Clinical studies, she said, show the drug leads to a decrease in pain
and an increased appetite.

"But there are still questions," she said. "Is the person going to be
able to drive or function at work? We need more research."

STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS MICHAEL IORFINO, staff writer, contributed to
this report.  
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