No reputable medical entity has asked for availability of crude marijuana as a medicine, The American Medical Association recently rejected the use of smoked marijuana as a medicine. And a recent survey of l,5OO cancer specialists determined that even if crude marijuana were made available for prescription, it would be the last choice of medicines. The National Institutes of Health has determined that there is no scientific basis to use crude marijuana as a medicine, and the chronic use of marijuana is associated with impairment of memory and other mental functions, respiratory damage, hormonal and immune impairment, and addiction. The unfortunate reality is that the pro-marijuana movement is exploiting the suffering of patients with chronic illness to its own benefit. We cannot bypass the usual safety and efficacy process of the Food and Drug Administration because of the hue and cry of a self-serving drug culture which seeks to add medicinal applications of marijuana to mixed messages of legalization of illegal drugs and tolerance of drug use.
Smoked marijuana is as toxic as tobacco and has no place in the medical armamentarium.
Other pure forms of THC, the major active ingredient in marijuana, could be developed if medically necessary. Those who propose medical uses or conduct research on the use of marijuana have an ethical responsibility not to expose their subjects to unnecessary risks. Under current guidelines, marijuana is not a medicine. Using crude marijuana as a medicine would be a step backward to the times of potion and herbal remedies. Dr. Eric Voth is Chairman of The International Drug Strategy Institute.