Pubdate: Tue, 04 Mar 2014
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2014 The Associated Press
Contact: http://www.newsok.com/voices/guidelines
Website: http://newsok.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318

DOCTORS CALL FOR MORE STUDY OF POT'S EFFECT ON SEIZURES

(AP) - A medical group of epilepsy experts on Monday called on the 
federal government to reconsider classifying marijuana as a dangerous 
drug so its impact on seizures can be studied.

The American Epilepsy Society's statement comes as a British 
pharmaceutical company is scheduled to begin tests of an antepilepsy 
drug derived from cannabis, with the hallucinogenic ingredients 
removed, and parents are flocking to Colorado to try a strain of pot 
they say has helped some children with seizures.

The group had previously warned against using marijuana to treat 
epilepsy but its latest statement does not contain that advice. 
However, it does caution that these are only anecdotal reports and 
that "we do not know if marijuana is a safe and effective treatment 
for epilepsy."

That's why the organization calls for reconsidering its 
classification as a Schedule 1 substance by the Drug Enforcement 
Administration, which prevents much research into pot's effects on seizures.

"AES urges all people touched by epilepsy to consult with an epilepsy 
specialist and explore the many existing treatment options, so that 
they can make informed decisions with their specialist that weighs 
the risks and benefits of the different treatment options," the 
statement concludes.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom