The Buffalo News
Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Another Voice / Medical marijuana

Legalization proposal ignores significant risks

By Andrea J. Wanat and Robert Whitney

Updated: 04/27/09 11:06 AM

Over the past week the issue of legalizing marijuana has been at the forefront of the media. In New York State, Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried has sponsored a bill that would make marijuana available to individuals who he claims might benefit from its possible therapeutic effects.

Specifically, he has suggested that smoking marijuana should be approved in New York to be used by “registered” patients who would obtain a prescription by physicians. We applaud his compassionate intentions of helping those who suffer. However, we believe that this proposal is bad public policy. The potential benefits of the ingredients of marijuana have received substantial scientific study for use in a range of health problems. Conclusions about possible risks and benefits are mixed.

Some people feel that the benefits of use as a medicine outweigh the “exaggerated” physical side effects. The fact is when THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, is inhaled, many other harmful substances are distributed throughout the body. The adverse effects of marijuana smoke on the lungs and respiratory system counteract any possible benefits.

Also, no FDA approved medications are smoked, probably because smoking is not an effective way to deliver medicine since it is difficult to regulate appropriate dosage in smoked form. Additionally, the FDA has approved Marinol, in pill form, which contains the active ingredient THC.

Some individuals report improvement in the relief of severe, persistent pain from cancer with the use of marijuana. The fact is that patients may benefit from and require short-term use. However, long-term use presents additional risks including the development of physical dependence and impaired immune and lung functions.

The legalization of medicinal marijuana presents significant risks to society. Since perceived risk correlates with trends in teen use of marijuana, it is likely that current trends in lowered marijuana use would reverse as teens discover “marijuana is an approved medicine.” It is well documented that widespread availability of cheap substances increases abuse.

This is a concern for medicinal marijuana, since methods of limited distribution have not been adequately addressed, as has been shown recently with the current epidemic of prescription drug abuse.

We support continued study of the potential benefits of components in marijuana to determine how to safely deliver these chemicals and how to minimize risks. We also suggest that if policy changes are made, they must incorporate statements of the risks involved when utilizing marijuana as a medicine and suggestions of how to prevent an increase in abuse among the general population.

Andrea J. Wanat is executive director of the Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. Robert Whitney is chairman of the Public Policy Committee.

Source: http://www.buffalonews.com/149/story/652965.html