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| Medical Marijuana Alternative Exists for Patients |
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Posted by CN Staff on January 23, 2007 at 06:32:49 PT By Josh Premako, Senior Staff Writer Source: The Signal 
California -- While the debate over medical marijuana rages on, there remains another option for those who are suffering. It's called Marinol, a small orange capsule offered as an alternative to marijuana.First approved by the Food and Drug Administration more than 20 years ago, Marinol's main ingredient is dronabinol, which is a synthetic version of Delta-9-THC - the main component of marijuana. In 1982, it was approved by the FDA to treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy for treating cancer. In 1992, it was approved for treating the loss of appetite in AIDS patients. The drug both stimulates appetite and reduces nausea and vomiting, according to a Web site for Solvay Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Marinol. "We do use it occasionally," said Dr. Gerald Subar, director of pharmacy at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. With what Subar called a fairly rapid absorption time of between 30 minutes to an hour, Marinol can produce a "high," which he said is defined as easy laughing, heightened awareness and elation. He said there is a low rate of addiction with the drug, which is listed by the FDA as Class 3. Class 1 drugs - none of which can be prescribed -include LSD, marijuana and methamphetamine, he said. Class 5, the lowest designation, includes cough syrups with codeine. Another recently-approved drug containing a synthetic THC is also available, Subar said, and added that that particular drug is a Class 2 and specifically targets nausea and vomiting. Prescriptions for Marinol are regularly filled at Valencia Pharmacy, said chief pharmacist Jan Balthasar, and he said that is likely the case for many pharmacies in the valley. However, a prescription alternative to marijuana is not necessarily the end-all solution, said William Dolphin, spokesman for Americans for Safe Access. He referenced reports where he said Marinol users found the drug to be far more psychoactive than marijuana. Additionally, Dolphin said while it can take as much as 40 minutes for Marinol to take effect, inhaled marijuana can take effect in as little as 15 seconds - and the dose is easier to control. "People tend to prefer the plant," he said, although he added that "(Marinol's) certainly an answer for some patients." Even Subar conceded that "there are legitimate uses for (medical marijuana)," and said while there are abuses it is a fine line. For the time being, Marinol may be the only legitimate option for local residents who don't want to leave the valley to visit a medical marijuana dispensary. Earlier this month, Sgt. Phil Morris of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station's Narcotics Bureau said he was contacted by an individual planning to set up a marijuana dispensary in Castaic. On Jan. 18, Bruce McClendon, director of planning for the county told The Signal that no applications had been filed nor approvals granted for a facility in Castaic. Last week, Morris said that anecdotally he has heard that after learning of potential community opposition to a dispensary, the individual who contacted him has decided not to pursue opening a marijuana facility. Source: Signal, The (CA) Americans For Safe Access CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #7 posted by FoM on January 23, 2007 at 07:48:38 PT |
| By David G. Savage and Henry Weinstein, Times Staff Writers January 23, 2007 WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court struck down part of California's sentencing law Monday in a ruling that could give thousands of recently convicted state prisoners a chance for a shorter sentence. In a 6-3 decision, the high court said California's system is flawed because it gives judges too much power to add extra years to a prison sentence. URL: http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-na-scotus23jan23,1,7920945.story [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by goneposthole on January 23, 2007 at 07:37:42 PT |
| Cannabis growers completely ignore the law and grow cannabis to meet the demand. You can lead a bull to the whatchamacallit, but you can't make him stampede. You can pass laws prohibiting the use of alcohol, but people won't obey them. You can pass laws prohibiting the use of cannabis, but people won't obey those either. Their senses tell them differently. There are no laws prohibiting voters from telling Senator Grassley to take a hike and send him packing. Cannabis is here to stay, the US government is not. Ignore the rascals. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by FoM on January 23, 2007 at 07:32:01 PT |
| I didn't know who that Senator was and I did a google search and he is a republican. It doesn't surprise me. Not all Dems are ok with our issue but there are way more then with them. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by ekim on January 23, 2007 at 07:27:48 PT |
| Sen. Grasley was just on C-Span Wash Journal.
He was asked if he would give a tax break to farmers that want to make the industrial enzymes for cellulastic ethanol he said that the Feds are getting money to research the enzymes and it will take about 3 years.
He made no mention of the fact that the NREL National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden Co has said that they have got the price of the enzymes down to 25cents a gal. Sen. Grasly said that switchgrass was needed for the cellulose feedstock. The Sen. was also asked if he would support the USA Farmer being able to grow Hemp as Canada is growing 50,000 acres and the American Farmer is not allowed to grow 1 acre. He said that he would not support the growing of Hemp as there is no way to separate the Marijuana from being grown with the Hemp. He went on to say that during WW2 Iowa had Hemp mills all over the State. He never addresed the question of how could Canada tell the difference and how can we compete wiht China that has been growing Cannabis for thousands of years and just completed the largest ethanol plant ever and the DEA will not allow it here. He kept saying that we need jobs and workers but something in his mind will not let him make this conection. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #3 posted by kroeme on January 23, 2007 at 07:14:59 PT:
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| Marinol is generally more psychoactive than marijuana because after it is ingested it is chemically altered in the liver from Delta-9-THC to Delta-11-THC, which is the more psychoactive cannabinoid. If you eat marijuana instead of smoking it (if properly prepared) you will get the same psychoactive effect. Regular marijuana users, however, may find Marinol too weak, and taking too much will give one headaches. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by FoM on January 23, 2007 at 07:09:43 PT |
| Gary Storck: Congress Should Protect Americans Legally Using Medical Marijuana http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/letters/index.php?ntid=115889&ntpid=3 [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by goneposthole on January 23, 2007 at 07:01:37 PT |
| People who have had Marinol get unbelievably stoned after taking it. [ Post Comment ] |
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