2007 pot KSNA

Crude Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes: 

Crude Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes Eric A. Voth, M.D., F.A.C.P- Chairman The Institute on Global Drug Policy

Medical Excuse Marijuana: 

Medical Excuse Marijuana Jeopardizes consumer protection/ “Defense to Possession” Problems with marijuana as a medicine Medical excuse marijuana is driven by the pot legalization lobby

Marijuana: 

Marijuana Impurity-488 substances, 66 cannabinoids Resembles tobacco in constituents. High THC concentrations 2-30% 1/2 life 5-7 days

Contaminants: 

Contaminants Salmonella Klebsiella Enterobacter Group D Strep Bacillus sp Aspergillus Other Fungi

Proposed Medicinal Uses ofMarijuana: 

Proposed Medicinal Uses of Marijuana Nausea of Chemotherapy Glaucoma Appetite Stimulation Multiple Sclerosis Pain/ Migraine Cramps

No compelling evidence that there is a significant group of untreated or inadequately treated patients. : 

No compelling evidence that there is a significant group of untreated or inadequately treated patients.

Practical Issues: 

Practical Issues What is Legal to Use? Standardization/ Purity/Who Certifies? Who Produces? Who Pays? (Federal, State, Private??)

FDA position 2006: 

FDA position 2006 A past evaluation by several Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA), concluded that no sound scientific studies supported medical use of marijuana for treatment in the United States,

FDA cont: 

FDA cont Accordingly, FDA, as the federal agency responsible for reviewing the safety and efficacy of drugs, DEA as the federal agency charged with enforcing the CSA, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, as the federal coordinator of drug control policy, do not support the use of smoked marijuana for medical purposes.

National Academy of ScienceInstitute of Medicine Review: 

National Academy of Science Institute of Medicine Review The goal of clinical trials of smoked marijuana would not be to develop marijuana as a licensed drug, but rather as a first step towards the possible development of nonsmoked, rapid-onset cannabinoid delivery systems.

Goal is Marijuana Legalization: 

Goal is Marijuana Legalization Secondary legislative proposals “Camel’s nose under the tent” approach Movement is driven by the marijuana legalization lobby

Important points to remember : 

Important points to remember Safe, effective reliable medicines are best for patients and they exist. Marijuana is impure, unreliable, full of contaminants, high side effect rate. Defense to possession bypasses FDA and jeopardizes consumer protection Medical excuse marijuana creates “medicine by popular vote.”

Marijuana Lobby & “Medical” Pot: 

Marijuana Lobby & “Medical” Pot