The ethics of medical marijuana: Government restrictions vs. medical necessity

Marijuana is listed by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as an illegal Sche dule I drug which has no currently accepted medical use. However, on March 17, 1999, 11 independent scientists appointed by the Institute of Medicine reported that medical marijuana was effective in controlling some forms of pain, alleviating nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, treating wasting due to AIDS, and combating muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosi s. There was also no evidence that using marijuana would increase illicit d rug use or that it was a "gateway" drug. Despite this evidence the DEA refu ses to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II drug, which would allow physic ians to prescribe unadulterated and standardized forms of marijuana. After reviewing the pertinent scientific data and applying the principle of doubl e effect, there is a proportionate reason for allowing physicians to prescr ibe marijuana. Seriously ill patients have the right to effective therapies . To deny patients access to such a therapy is to deny them dignity and res pect as persons.