Making sense of medical marijuana

The case for marijuana's medical use is primarily from anecdotal clinical r eports, human studies of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and animal studies o n constituent compounds. The authors believe that while a key policy issue is to keep marijuana out of the hands of children, its use for medicinal pu rposes should be resolved by scientific research and Food and Drug Administ ration (FDA) review. Weighed against possible benefits are increased risks such as cancer, pulmonary problems, damage to the immune system, and unacce ptable psychological effects. More study is needed to determine the efficac y of marijuana as an antiemetic for cancer patients, as an appetite stimula nt for AIDS and cancer patients, as a treatment for neuropathic pain, and a s an antispasmodic for multiple sclerosis patients. If this new research sh ows marijuana to have important medical uses, FDA approval could be sought. However, the better response is accelerated development of delivery system s other than smoking for key ingredients, as well as the identification of targeted molecules that deliver beneficial effects without intoxicating eff ects. If the National Institutes of Health conducts research on marijuana, we would propose parallel trials on those indications under careful control s making marijuana available to appropriate patients who fail to benefit fr om standard existing treatments. This effort would begin after efficacy tri als and sunset no later than 5 years. If this open-trial mechanism is adopt ed, the compassion that Americans feel for seriously ill individuals would have an appropriate medical/scientific outlet and not need to rely on refer enda that can confuse adolescents by disseminating misleading information a bout marijuana effects.