Pubdate: Tue, 14 Jul 2015
Source: Glenwood Springs Post Independent (CO)
Copyright: 2015 Glenwood Springs Post Independent
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/ys97xJAX
Website: http://www.postindependent.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/821
Author: Floyd Diemoz

QUESTIONING MEDICAL MARIJUANA

A substantial number of Glenwood's medical marijuana patients between 
the ages of 18 and 25 that are afflicted with various health issues 
may be feeling the first of a multitude of tiny tremors beneath their 
feet. In the June 23/30 Journal of the American Medical Association 
Journal, Yale University researchers wrote an editorial entitled 
"Medical Marijuana - Is the Cart Before the Horse?" They pooled 
research from 79 studies that used placebos, normal cure and no 
treatment. It involved nearly 6,500 people. I'll enumerate a few of 
their findings.

There is some evidence that it helps nausea related to chemotherapy, 
specific pain syndromes and spasticity from sclerosis. Approval by 
some individual states relied on low-quality scientific evidence, 
anecdotal reports, individual testimonials, legislative initiatives 
and public opinion. This evidence fails to meet FDA standards. The 
evidence for psoriasis, sickle cell and Tourette Syndrome is of very 
low quality. There are no high quality studies.

Most FDA-approved drugs have one or two active components, but 
marijuana has more than 400 compounds including flavonoids, 
terpenoids and approximately 70 cannabinoids. The multitude of 
interactions among them is not understood. Very little data is 
available on doses for smoked marijuana for various medical conditions.

While the acute adverse effects of marijuana are quite well known, 
the effects of repeated exposure need further study. Dependency 
occurs with repeated exposure, and marijuana dosing will have to be 
increased over time to achieve the same effect. A distinct withdrawal 
syndrome is also well recognized.

I expect Colorado's approval of recreational marijuana will devour 
medical marijuana as they become one and the same.

Floyd Diemoz

Glenwood Springs
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom