Are we talking science -- or are we talking politics?
On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration, FDA, came out and officially made its stand on medical marijuana use, by
saying it opposes the use of marijuana
for medical use as there are no sound animal or human scientific studies supporting the safety or efficacy for
medical use. The FDA goes on to say there is currently sound evidence that smoked marijuana is harmful. However, the
FDA statement contradicts a 1999 finding from the Institute of Medicine, which reported that marijuana's active
components are potentially effective in treating pain and nausea, and should be tested rigorously in clinical trials.
In response to the FDA statement, Bruce Mirken, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project, countered with, "There is abundant evidence that marijuana can help cancer patients, multiple sclerosis patients and AIDS patients. There is no scientific doubt that marijuana relieves nausea, vomiting, certain kinds of pain and other symptoms that don't respond well to conventional drugs, and does it more safely than other drugs. This isn't a scientific statement -- it's a political statement."
Let me go on the record as saying that while I did not use marijuana when I underwent chemotherapy, I do support its medical use. Having said that, let me add that chemotherapy is a gruesome experience that defies description. If marijuana can relieve any of the side-effects of chemotherapy, or reduce the physical pain of cancer sufferers, this continued stand against marijuana use in any form is absurd -- and cruel. There is something malevolent about manipulating science for a political stand.
1.
Of course it's about politics. The FDA is beholden
to the pharmaceutical companies and does not want
to do anything to upset them.
If the FDA allowed marijuana to be used for medical
purposes, others would soon be calling for its legalization across the board. I am one of these people.
The alcohol and tobacco manufacturers are also concerned that legalizing marijuana could dramatically cut into consumer sale of their products, and they are wise to be concerned.
If Grass was legalized there are countless numbers
of Americans who would purchase it for recreational
use.
Why smoke a cigarette where you can feel like shit
afterwards, when you can smoke a joint and feel
wonderful and at total peace?
And when was the last time that saw a person high
on Grass becoming violent? I never have.
However, how many people have you seen get drunk
and become absolutely nasty? I have seen more than
my fair share.
Legalize Grass and stop wasting the publics time
trying to sell them other products that they neither need nor want!
Posted at 2:21PM on Apr 21st 2006 by Jim