FDA says no to medical marijuana

[Ikohn4ever]

FDA says no to medical marijuana
Agency says no studies support efficacy or safety

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that it does not support the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

The FDA said in a statement that it and other agencies with the Health and Human Services Department had "concluded that no sound scientific studies supported medical use of marijuana for treatment in the United States, and no animal or human data supported the safety or efficacy of marijuana for general medical use."

A number of states have passed legislation allowing marijuana use for medical purposes, but the FDA said, "These measures are inconsistent with efforts to ensure that medications undergo the rigorous scientific scrutiny of the FDA approval process and are proven safe and effective."

The statement contradicts a 1999 finding from the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, which reported that "marijuana's active components are potentially effective in treating pain, nausea, the anorexia of AIDS wasting and other symptoms, and should be tested rigorously in clinical trials."

Bruce Mirken, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project, said Thursday: "If anybody needed proof that the FDA has become totally politicized, this is it. This isn't a scientific statement; it's a political statement."

Mirken said "a rabid congressional opponent of medical marijuana," Rep. Mark Souder, R-Indiana, asked the FDA to make the statement.

Souder, chairman of the House Government Reform subcommittee on drug policy, has said the promotion of medical marijuana "is simply a red herring for the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. Studies have continually rejected the notion that marijuana is suitable for medical use because it adversely impacts concentration and memory, the lungs, motor coordination and the immune system."

The FDA statement noted "there is currently sound evidence that smoked marijuana is harmful." It also said, "There are alternative FDA-approved medications in existence for treatment of many of the proposed uses of smoked marijuana."

Mirken responded, "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.

"For the FDA to ignore all that evidence is embarrassing," Mirken said. "They should be red-faced.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/04/21/medical.marijuana.ap/index.html


I just love the hipocrisy of it all, they complain that it impacts the lungs yet cigs are fine, they also say there are alternative treatments, but a lot of the pain meds are Opiates, and Opiates come from Opium. Hell I dont even smoke pot but to be so blinded by the positive effects of marijuana is just rediculous. The US government still provides people with pot, there was a program to give certain people marijuana for different medical conditions. The program was cancelled under Reagan or Bush I believe but they couldnt legally stop treatment for these people, and as long as these people are still alive they are getting a container of joints every month. They had a thing on it in Penn and Teller's Bullshit. If we can help people I dont understand the problem, people worry it will be abused by others, but pain medication is one of the most used illegal drug in America today.

 

[GuilewasNK]

[quote name='Ikohn4ever']I just love the hipocrisy of it all, they complain that it impacts the lungs yet cigs are fine, they also say there are alternative treatments, but a lot of the pain meds are Opiates, and Opiates come from Opium. Hell I dont even smoke pot but to be so blinded by the positive effects of marijuana is just rediculous. The US government still provides people with pot, there was a program to give certain people marijuana for different medical conditions. The program was cancelled under Reagan or Bush I believe but they couldnt legally stop treatment for these people, and as long as these people are still alive they are getting a container of joints every month. They had a thing on it in Penn and Teller's Bullshit. If we can help people I dont understand the problem, people worry it will be abused by others, but pain medication is one of the most used illegal drug in America today.[/quote]

I agree with you. I never smoked anything. I don't condone it, but if someone is dying of cancer or AIDS and it gives them comfort, then people need to leave well enough alone. I don't think those fools realize how prevalent marijuana is in this country anyway. The only people they are affecting are the ones who want to do it legally because of their medical condition. If people want to find it for recreational use, they know where to get it now.

 

[Kayden]

Right... because EVERY drug the FDA has approved never had any harsh/permenant/longterm side effects...

The reason pot isn't legal is because it can't be taxed easily. Simple as that.

 

[Sarang01]

[quote name='Kayden']Right... because EVERY drug the FDA has approved never had any harsh/permenant/longterm side effects...

The reason pot isn't legal is because it can't be taxed easily. Simple as that.[/QUOTE]

Yeah definite point there. Not like you can grow Tobacco in your basement.

Also agree with your bitching. I've lost faith in the FDA, all they serve is to promote Big Pharma down our throats. Also whatever Mainstream Pharma outlets try to discredit almost all Herbal Meds with like 2 exceptions can go eat shit. No longer will I believe something that may cause me constipation, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, Hemorrhoids or whatever is safer for me than something people in China, Europe, Africa, wherever have used for thousands of years with very little ill effects. In other words eat shit, you cancer causing funguses, you death and cure peddlers.

 

[Kayden]

I love how drugs that treat depression may cause sexual side effects. If you can't , you're sure as hell going to be depressed.

[quote name='Sarang01']Yeah definite point there. Not like you can grow Tobacco in your basement.

Also agree with your bitching. I've lost faith in the FDA, all they serve is to promote Big Pharma down our throats. Also whatever Mainstream Pharma outlets try to discredit almost all Herbal Meds with like 2 exceptions can go eat shit. No longer will I believe something that may cause me constipation, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, Hemorrhoids or whatever is safer for me than something people in China, Europe, Africa, wherever have used for thousands of years with very little ill effects. In other words eat shit, you cancer causing funguses, you death and cure peddlers.[/quote]

 

[alonzomourning23]

[quote name='Kayden']I love how drugs that treat depression may cause sexual side effects. If you can't , you're sure as hell going to be depressed.[/quote]

Not to the same extent though. It's a matter of degrees. One may cause you to be upset, one may make you seriously contemplate killing yourself.

 

[Kayden]

[quote name='alonzomourning23']Not to the same extent though. It's a matter of degrees. One may cause you to be upset, one may make you seriously contemplate killing yourself.[/quote]

I'd be upset if I lost my job or my dog died. I'd seriously contemplate killing myself if I couldn't have sex.

 

[RBM]

Wow, this topic has spawned surprisingly vehement and oddly disjointed ranting. What are you people smoking? Heh heh heh.

Given some of the examples in the news of normal, everyday, law-abiding & upstanding citizens who suffer from severe chronic pain and have found marijuana to be the least damaging & yet most effective way of alleviating that pain, the FDA's sweeping declaration that there is no evidence of marijuana's benefits rings pretty hollow.

How can they expect any credibility with such radical rhetoric? Do they take us for a nation of blind & deaf fools? Who appoints the people in *charge* of these institutions....oh...right. I suppose a pious population elects a pious president who appoints pious chaps like Eschenbach, who knows how to uphold what's Good and Holy and cast down the Heathen Temptations of Satan.

That petty jab aside, I do agree with a sentiment I've heard voiced by an opponent to medical marijuana; he (I've forgotten the gentleman's name) suggested that (paraphrased from memory): "Any physician who prescribes a substance for his patient to *smoke* is an idiot."

I can believe that marijuana holds some beneficial qualities, but I would support FDA approval of a drug derived from marijuana (I believe there's currently one up for approval/consideration in the UK) more than I would support widespread smoking of marijuana. It is still *smoking* the substance...there must be a better method of drug delivery than a joint (and one without psychoactive baggage, at that.)

 

[Kayden]

[quote name='RBM']there must be a better method of drug delivery than a joint (and one without psychoactive baggage, at that.)[/quote]


Thats like saying theres got to be a better way to eat oatmeal cookies without raisens.

 

[Apossum]

i think pot is a boring drug that turns some recreational users into zombies...but man, the FDA is so off base here.

"OMG PUT OUT teh joint! Here, take this oxycontin instead.."

 

[alonzomourning23]

I'd be upset if I lost my job or my dog died. I'd seriously contemplate killing myself if I couldn't have sex.

I don't think you understand. Severe depression can get to the point where suicide, despite wanting to commit suicide, actually isn't much of a risk, since the person lacks the motivation to perform such an act. The people anti-depressent medication is designed for (not saying it isn't prescribed to others) are the ones with actualy have psychological problems that go beyond the incidents they're dealing with. There are depths of depression you normally don't reach without an actual psychological issue.

[quote name='Kayden']Thats like saying theres got to be a better way to eat oatmeal cookies without raisens.[/quote]

No, since they're supposed to be smoking for medical reason, not enjoyment. THC provides all the benefits, but without any of the health risks of inhaling the smoke.

 

[Kayden]

[quote name='alonzomourning23']I don't think you understand. Severe depression can get to the point where suicide, despite wanting to commit suicide, actually isn't much of a risk, since the person lacks the motivation to perform such an act. The people anti-depressent medication is designed for (not saying it isn't prescribed to others) are the ones with actualy have psychological problems that go beyond the incidents they're dealing with. There are depths of depression you normally don't reach without an actual psychological issue. [/quote]

So... essentially, the medication lets them feel good enough about X so that when it keeps them from being able to have sex they'll feel bad enough to kill themselves but still motivated enough to do it? :lol:


[quote name='alonzomourning23'] No, since they're supposed to be smoking for medical reason, not enjoyment. THC provides all the benefits, but without any of the health risks of inhaling the smoke.[/quote]

Tomayto... tomahto... If the FDA was really so concerned about marijuana being dangerous because of the smoke, why are cigarettes allowed? Pot has THC and smoke. Tobacco has tar, cyanide, fromalihyde, rat poison... about 200 other HIGHLY toxic agents.... and smoke. So, 2 wrongs don't make a right, but 300 do? Or is it just simply because its supposed to be for medicinal purposes? Thousands upon thousands use cigarettes to releave stress, doesn't that make it a medicine? Why the hell should we listen to a company that approves chemical coctails that have side effects that are worse than what you're trying to treat? Jesus christ, look at aspartaime. It does cellular damage exponentially worse than standard sugar, but its ok because it has fewer callories and they can market it to healthfreaks for more money. And you really got to love how hollistic medicines have no 'significant' medicinal purposes when there are cultures more than ten times older than ours that have used them as a cornerstone of there medicinal practices for 3-5000 years. Right- ginsing isn't going to do anything worthwhile for me without catastrophic side effects, but NEW hemomixasupersuckafeedamiliacilphin will do everything and more for you with only the slight* (*110% chance) of causing diahrea, blindness, stupidity, alcoholism, make you walk like an Egyptian, enjoy karaoke, lose of continancy, and if youre lucky, death.

I totally lost my ing point... Anyways, FDA must mean Dem All, because they surely aren't looking out for OUR best interests.

 

[PhrostByte]

All drugs should be legal, but instead... the government treats drug users as criminals. American society has been brainwashed to think that prohibition is an acceptable form of public policy, it's not. The government's role is to protect and serve, not to curb individual civil freedoms. Drug addiction rates have remained relatively stable since before and after prohibition, the only difference is now our jails are packed with not only drug dealers, but drug users. Instead of treatment, punishment is deemed the acceptable policy. It's ridiculous. They are hurting their own citizens. Why? Money. The war on drugs keeps a lot of people employed, and even though the DEA is one of the most highly funded alphabet soup organizations (ever wonder why taxes are so high?) they return hundreds of times more money in the long run. Unfortunately, I'm sure a lot of this money is pocketed along the way and not put back into progressive government programs.

After college, I'm getting the out of here.

 

[alonzomourning23]

[quote name='Kayden']So... essentially, the medication lets them feel good enough about X so that when it keeps them from being able to have sex they'll feel bad enough to kill themselves but still motivated enough to do it? :lol:[/quote]

Find me an example of someone who has ever killed themselves over erectile dysfunction and didn't have an underlying psychological disorder to begin with. Over 90% of people who attempt suicide have a diagnosable psychological disorder, and over 90% don't actually want to die.

And you still have to show that the small chance of side effects outweighs the benefits for the majority.

Tomayto... tomahto... If the FDA was really so concerned about marijuana being dangerous because of the smoke, why are cigarettes allowed? Pot has THC and smoke. Tobacco has tar, cyanide, fromalihyde, rat poison... about 200 other HIGHLY toxic agents.... and smoke.

In people suffering psychological disorders, marijuana can worsen it. Considering about half the population will suffer from on in their life time, and about 20% suffer from one in any given year, and some people are never aware of it, then that's a significant problem. It can also bring out such disorders in people who are susceptible. It has more tar than tobacco, resulting in a greater chance of lung diseases. It also takes much longer to wear off than things such as alcohol. It essentially increases the risk that people will engage in activities while stoned. It has short term effects on memory, and some evidence suggests that after prolonged use it also has long term effects on memory and cognitive functioning.

So, 2 wrongs don't make a right, but 300 do? Or is it just simply because its supposed to be for medicinal purposes? Thousands upon thousands use cigarettes to releave stress, doesn't that make it a medicine?

There are over 400 chemicals in marijuana. And medicine is something that treats or alleviates a disease or abnormal physical state. Relieving minor stress does not count, especially when it causes so many other problems and greater stress.

Why the hell should we listen to a company that approves chemical coctails that have side effects that are worse than what you're trying to treat?

I don't know. Maybe you want to name one where such side effects are common and the medicine still remains on the market? Or is being rational asking too much?

Jesus christ, look at aspartaime. It does cellular damage exponentially worse than standard sugar, but its ok because it has fewer callories and they can market it to healthfreaks for more money.

You do realize that it is also used for people who cannot use sugar, right? The ones marketed to health freaks is the raw sugar.

And you really got to love how hollistic medicines have no 'significant' medicinal purposes when there are cultures more than ten times older than ours that have used them as a cornerstone of there medicinal practices for 3-5000 years. Right- ginsing isn't going to do anything worthwhile for me without catastrophic side effects, but NEW hemomixasupersuckafeedamiliacilphin will do everything and more for you with only the slight* (*110% chance) of causing diahrea, blindness, stupidity, alcoholism, make you walk like an Egyptian, enjoy karaoke, lose of continancy, and if youre lucky, death.

You want to argue that for thousands of years people have lived longer and survived more illnesses than they do today?

You really should learn about things before you attempt to argue.

 

[Trancendental]

[quote name='Sarang01'] Also whatever Mainstream Pharma outlets try to discredit almost all Herbal Meds with like 2 exceptions can go eat shit. No longer will I believe something that may cause me constipation, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, Hemorrhoids or whatever is safer for me than something people in China, Europe, Africa, wherever have used for thousands of years with very little ill effects. In other words eat shit, you cancer causing funguses, you death and cure peddlers.[/quote]

Word - I'm glad the FDA doesn't regulate holistic medicines, because I'm sure they would ban half of them for the same dubious morality reasons that relatively harmless drugs such as marijuana are banned.

Suprisingly enough, Orinn Hatch is the guy keeping the FDA off of regulating herbal remedies because many of them are picked in his home state of Utah. Who would have figured that a Mormon would be protecting the hippies - talk about odd bedfellows...

 

[Kayden]

[quote name='alonzomourning23']Find me an example of someone who has ever killed themselves over erectile dysfunction and didn't have an underlying psychological disorder to begin with. Over 90% of people who attempt suicide have a diagnosable psychological disorder, and over 90% don't actually want to die.
[/quote]

You are so ing obnoxious. Why would need to cite evidence for something thats a joke? Is there nothing you wont argue about. It really seems like you have no opinions of your own; you just want to argue against what everyone else thinks. You didn't cite anything. Why should anyone think you're more credible? Right or wrong, I can formulate my own ideas, however, you always seem to just vomit up whatever some 'expert' says thats the contrary to whatever everyone else says. You're just a pretentious, annoying ass that always has to have the last word.

 

[alonzomourning23]

[quote name='Kayden']You are so ing obnoxious. Why would need to cite evidence for something thats a joke? Is there nothing you wont argue about. It really seems like you have no opinions of your own; you just want to argue against what everyone else thinks. You didn't cite anything. Why should anyone think you're more credible? Right or wrong, I can formulate my own ideas, however, you always seem to just vomit up whatever some 'expert' says thats the contrary to whatever everyone else says. You're just a pretentious, annoying ass that always has to have the last word.[/quote]

 

[CappyCobra]

[quote name='alonzomourning23']

[/quote]
^^^^^^^^^^^^
A pedophile?:lol:

Seriously though, I think the FDA needs to first weed out drugs that are already approved that have strong financial backing from the drug companies themselves period. It hard to recommend a drug and be objectional about it when the 'facts' themselves are influenced by the drug companies themseleves.

http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2006/04/21/no_end_to_fda_disclosure_debate/