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Our news & announcements offer up-to-date information important and relative for us to share with you. We update often, so check back frequently. Past news and announcements are available in this archive.
04/06/2010 - Medical Marijuana
In a recent paper by Matthew Seamon, PharmD, JD posted in Netscape Pharmacists on the evolving landscape of medical marijuana, Dr. Seaman states that marijuana is derived as a natural product from the cannabis sativa plant and that prior to 1937, it was widely used as a medicinal drug under the direction of physicians and pharmacists. It is now regulated as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, meaning the drug has a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment of disease, and a lack of accepted safety under medical supervision.
The pharmacologically active ingredient in marijuana is THC. The percentage of THC varies widely depending on growing techniques and hybridization. THC affects specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which involve pleasure, memory, time perception, and other effects. Due to the fact that marijuana is a Schedule I drug, it has not been studied with rigorous clinical testing, therefore most of the highly touted benefits remain anecdotal.
Since 1999, 14 states have passed laws supporting the use of medical marijuana. The current primary use is for pain management, but it is also used for weight loss associated with debilitating disease, nausea and vomiting, glaucoma, and neurologically induced spasticities.
As long as a patient is registered in one of the 14 states which have approved medical marijuana, the risk for legal problems are minimal with the exception of driving under the influence, flaunting the drug in plain sight, or possession of an excessive amount. Despite the recommendation of a physician and compliance with state law, an employee may be terminated for a positive drug test for marijuana.
The evolution of law and clinical benefit of medical marijuana may occur as the result of the political will of the people. For now, it is largely unsettled, particularly as to specific drug levels that would constitute impairment and appropriate clinical evaluation that would support or deny the anecdotal benefits.