cannabisnews.com: Physicians Divided on Medical Marijuana Use





Physicians Divided on Medical Marijuana Use
Posted by CN Staff on December 31, 2008 at 10:56:32 PT
By Howard Berger
Source: Hammonton News
New Jersey -- There are many questions about which physicians are uncertain. One of them centers on the use of marijuana to treat illnesses. A measure pending in the state Legislature could authorize the use of medical marijuana to relieve symptoms in seriously ill patients.The state would maintain a registry of people with debilitating medical conditions, such as HIV or AIDS, cancer and glaucoma. Photo identification cards would be issued to those on the registry, and they could possess a limited number of marijuana plants and usable marijuana.
Some in the medical profession believe marijuana, or medical cannabis, is useful in treating some diseases.The Institute of Medicine conducted a study in 1999 that concluded smoking marijuana should not be considered a treatment for any specific disease due to the health risks, such as memory impairment, decreased lung function, impaired immune response and possible adverse effects on heart function.However, researchers concluded doing so can ease nausea, appetite loss, pain and anxiety.Researchers also determined the long-term risks of marijuana use are not of great concern to some patients, including those who are terminally ill or have debilitating symptoms.Dr. David G. Ostrow, founder of the Medical Marijuana Policy Advocacy Project, is among those who believe marijuana could help those who are terminally ill or suffer from chronic pain.He launched his effort in hopes of shedding more light on this perplexing situation."I think we have a long way to go in educating America's physicians, nurses and health care practitioners about the truth and usefulness of medical cannabis so that they will feel more comfortable using it," Ostrow said."This, I think, is the result of the misinformation and myths about marijuana and medical marijuana propagated by the U.S. government since the war on drugs began back in 1937," Ostrow added.Dr. Ethan Russo, senior medial advisor at The Cannabinoid Research Institute, declared with much conviction that cannabis likely is better for treating some conditions in some patients."Most drugs approved by the FDA are not 'new and improved' but rather are 'me too' drugs that are similar to those already on the market," Russo said.At this point, however, it doesn't look as though the medical profession as a whole is ready to declare that 'it's a go' on marijuana use.It appears that the majority of people in the profession still oppose the use of medical marijuana, particularly in light of the lack of approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Howard Berger is a member and legislative chairman of the Atlantic County Senior Citizen Advisory Board.Originally published December 31, 2008Source: Hammonton News, The (NJ)Author: Howard BergerPublished: December 31, 2008Copyright: 2008 The Hammonton NewsContact: http://drugsense.org/url/ZL0O1ryFWebsite: http://www.thehammontonnews.com/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on January 11, 2009 at 06:34:09 PT
New Jersey: 'I Squeeze, I Push, I Cry and I Pray'
January 11, 2009URL: http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20090111/LIFE04/901110324
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Comment #8 posted by Richard Zuckerman on January 03, 2009 at 18:39:59 PT:
FULL N.J. STATE SENATE VOTE ON JANUARY 13, 2009:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the full State Senate may be scheduled to vote on the New Jersey State Senate Compassional Use Medical Marijuana Act, Senate Bill 119, on January 13, 2009, when the full New Jersey State Senate is scheduled to meet. Call New Jersey State Senate President Richard Codey, (His telephone number)(973) 731-6770, to confirm this news item?Richard Zuckerman, (My telephone number)(732) 354-4063.
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Comment #7 posted by Storm Crow on January 01, 2009 at 01:16:37 PT
Oops!
I don't usually make mistakes like that! I WAS sampling the eggnog today! lol 
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Comment #6 posted by The GCW on December 31, 2008 at 19:00:21 PT
Quack quack.
How many doctors who don't care for cannabis will use extremely addictive and highly abused drugs that have side effects out of this world? What kind of doctor ignores the nagative health effects of a patient beging put in a cage; -so they can support caging a human patient for using cannabis?Doctors make mistakes like anyone else... and sometimes it causes death; how many doctors can cause death by recommending a patient use cannabis and it be a mistake?Doctors are valuablebut they also cause suffering.
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Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on December 31, 2008 at 18:02:08 PT
runruff
No - there can only be One Doctor! One Government, One Faith, One Doctor!Storm Crow, you're referring to the good Dr. Semmelweis:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignaz_Semmelweis
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Comment #4 posted by josephlacerenza on December 31, 2008 at 16:33:35 PT
Just a heads up on change.org
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Free your mind, Guantanamo
	 - Additional Issues
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Comment #3 posted by josephlacerenza on December 31, 2008 at 13:26:10 PT
They call themselves doctors
Is there not other ways of ingesting, or otherwise administering cannabinoids? We all know here at CNews that this is the case. I do not understand how these "doctors" made it through med school. "The Institute of Medicine conducted a study in 1999 that concluded SMOKING marijuana should not be considered a treatment for any specific disease due to the health risks, such as memory impairment, decreased lung function, impaired immune response and possible adverse effects on heart function." I hear blah, blah, blah. They call themselves doctors LoL. 
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Comment #2 posted by runruff on December 31, 2008 at 11:51:18 PT
OK, hold it right there!!!
If doctors are divided so what! You choose your doctor I'll choose mine! End of discussion!
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Comment #1 posted by Storm Crow on December 31, 2008 at 11:40:32 PT
Seems like I remember ......
That there was more than a bit of resistance when Pasteur was promoting the germ theory. Eventually, the stiff-necked doctors came around (or died off)and the idea of germs as disease causers was accepted. And here we go again! Stiff-necked doctors busy denying what has become obvious to you and me- CANNABIS HEALS! Hope you all had a great 2008 and will have an even better 2009! Happy New Year, everyone! (And remember, cannabis will leave you with no hangover, unlike booze! So, party on!) 
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