Source: San Mateo County Times Author: Jeff Israely, Staff Writer Pubdate: 22 Dec 97 Contact: Mail: The San Mateo County Times Editorial Page Editor, 1080 S. Amphlett Blvd. San Mateo, CA 944021802 FAX: (415) 348 4446 ATTEMPT TO GIVE POT CREDIBILITY AFTER 215 Calilornia's Proposition 215which legalizes marijuana for medical usecleared the way for longawaited laboratory testing of the benefits and drawbacks of pot in treating a variety of illnesses. While several legal challenges to the proposition are pending, even state Attorney General Dan Lungren the law's most vocal critic is calling for a three year study of the effectiveness and safety of medical marijuana use. There is little common ground for opponents and proponents of the initiative, passed into law by a 5644 percent margin in November 1996. But one concern they generally agree on is the need for a more precise definition of the "medical" in medical marijuana. Achieving that. they say. will help set clear standards for carrying out the law. Another concern is that despite Proposition 215's protections for potprescribing doctors. Physicians remain unclear of their status. With conclusive research results still years away and federal prohibitions on marijuana still in effect, members of the Clinton administration have hinted they may clamp down on doctors who recommend the drug Much anecdotal evidence exists that marijuana relieves pain and restores appetites, but the leafy drug had been caught in a Catch22. Researchers long have been wary of testing a substance that was illegal and so politicized, leaving a vacuum of proven scientific backing that potentially could have legitimized and legalized its use. That is changing in the wake of Proposition 215. The National Institutes of Health pledged $1 million in October for doctors at San Francisco General Hospital to study the effects of marijuana on patients using the latest AIDS drugs. Like other tests expected to follow. SF General researchers actually will oversee the consumption of marijuana, comparing both its short and longterm effects on people smoking and ingesting against those given a placebo. Stephen Goodin said he's already seen the results of marijuana's medicating powers. The 38yearold network engineer, HIVpositive for more than a decade, has smoked marijuana to relieve his nausea and help him sleep. The Guerneville resident said he smokes four joints a day. In the past 20 months. Goodin has gone from 127 to 170 pounds. One Bay Area psychiatrist believes marijuana can alleviate a depression to chronic pain to seizure disorders. But Dr. Tod Mikuriya worries that his recommendations of marijuana could prompt federal drug regulators to revoke his right to prescribe any medicines and receive Medicare payments. [sidebar] MEDICAL MARIJUANA TEST CASES Propostion 215 is being challenged on several fronts in the courts: Distribution People vs. Dennis Peron (and other members of San Frarncisco Cannabis suyers Club). State Attorney General is prosecutinq two casescriminal and civilthat will help determine whether medica marijuana clubs are considered a "pnma~ care giver under Rrop. 215's dehnition to distribute marijuana to patients Peron is appealing a ruling that threatens to close such clubs. Doctors recommendations: Conant, et al. vs McCaffrey, et aL Several physicians filed a classaction lawsuit sut in U.S. District Court to prevent federal agents from disciplining them for recommending use of marijuana. Use: Matter of Dunaway, Orange County employee. Affer testing positive for marijuana, the employee was fired. Dunaway filed a claim, saying he took the drug aher a doctor recommended it to alleviate his glaucoma. Cultivation: People vs. King. Tulare County District Attorney is prosecuting a cancer patient for growing 30 full sized marijuana plants. Case will help determine what cultivation for "personal use" means under Prop. 215.