A very influential factor regarding the legalization of marijuana, is the cost implications of maintaining cannabis prohibition to the federal and provincial governments, and in turn the average Canadian taxpayer. According to the Auditor General of Canada, it is projected that approximately $ 450 million was spent on drug control, enforcement, and education in the year 2000.

Since ¾ of drug offences are marijuana related, the majority of the $ 450 million spent across Canada was due to cannabis prohibition laws. This spending also does not include funding for marijuana related court hearings, or incarcerations, as over 300 000 people are arrested for simple marijuana possession every year (Cohen et al. 2). Another issue to consider is that the amount of cannabis users continues to rise across Canada, up from 6.5% in 1989, to 12.2% in 2000 (Nabalamba, 1).

This will only increase the amount of funding the federal government is forced to contribute to drug control and enforcement, further charging the taxpayer. A more cost efficient way to regulate marijuana is to set an age limit through provincial regulation, permitting for adult use of a substance less harmful than both alcohol and tobacco. Otherwise, it is left in the hands of organized crime, with the government continuing to spend millions on its prohibition, and not profiting from its continuous increase in use. In this situation, the regulation of marijuana should not only be allowed, but would financially benefit the country.

Even after thousands of years of people using marijuana to treat a variety of medical conditions, many still believe marijuana is a drug without therapeutic value. Patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy, or AIDS related AZT therapy, found smoking marijuana to be an effective way to curb nausea (Health Canada, "Medical Marijuana"). Often it is more effective than available prescribed medications. "44% of oncologists responding to a questionnaire said they had recommended marijuana to their cancer patients; others said they would recommend it if it were legal" (Zimmer et al. 87). Other uses include control for muscle spasms associated with spinal cord injury / disease, and multiple sclerosis and pain / weight loss associated with cancer, HIV, and arthritis patients.

Cannabis also lessens the frequency of seizures in epilepsy, and controls eye pressure in glaucoma patients (National Institute on Drug Abuse, "Drug Policy Information Sheet"). Although medical marijuana has been approved for use under certain circumstances, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain cannabis for treatment purposes in Ontario. This is because the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario issued a warning in October 2002, cautioning that the "clinical efficacy of the drug has not been entirely established" and to "proceed with caution" when prescribing cannabis (The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, "Prescribing Medical Marijuana"). Due to this, a physician cannot make a proper declaration of the risks and benefits; Therefore, they can not fully inform the patient of the drugs possible effects.

Fortunately, since the legalization of marijuana for medical use occurred almost 5 years ago, one could assume a proper risk assessment of the drug will soon be completed through Health Canada. Through marijuana's apparent medical usages, it becomes clear that it should be regulated across the country.

The implication of marijuana's prohibition is financially devastating to the federal government. As false social perceptions are the only grounds for this ban to be upheld, and the medical sciences continue to find new usages for cannabis as therapeutic treatment, it remains unfounded to continue its outlaw. Through government enforced regulation, it becomes clear that the benefits of marijuana legalization outweigh the disadvantages.

The movement for the complete legalization of marijuana continues to pass through several stages, from absolute enforcement (Texas), to decriminalization (many states), to medical use only (California and others), to hands-off, do-what-you-want (newly established in Colorado and Washington.) We know from long experience how poorly things turn out whenever the government steps in and prohibits anything that changes the mood, pleasure, or sobriety of its citizens.

When evaluating the societal impact of marijuana versus other stimulants, a common question arises: “Would you rather live next door to 100 pot smokers or one meth user?” And everyone who resides adjacent to the marijuana aficionado knows why he is always the best choice. Pot Guy is stereotypically mellow and quiet, while Meth Man is disruptive, agitated, paranoid, noisy, and invasive of other people’s need for peace. Weed people go to sleep; tweaker people keep you from getting any. It’s tough to get some rest when your neighbor is working on his transmission or sawing metal pipes at 3:00 a.m., Lynyrd Skynyrd music blaring away.

As such, pro-marijuana reform groups often speak to the relative dangers of alcohol, in terms of the overall health risks and behavioral problems, when compared to their drug of choice. Alcohol is labeled by many medical professionals as a whole-body poison (a flavored one, but damaging nonetheless). It affects every organ, starting with the liver and brain, as well as the kidneys, bladder, stomach, and pancreas. The accompanying malevolent behavioral issues tied to alcohol abuse are well-noted and catastrophic, ranging from homicide, suicide, and sexual assault to domestic violence, child abuse, and random or targeted attacks on people who crossed the violent drinker’s path.

Heavy marijuana smokers certainly can’t ignore the impacts on the human brain and body, from depression or memory issues, to lung damage to several forms of cancer. (Inhaling carcinogenic smoke is not the best way to consume anything, hence the evolution toward dosing with marijuana-flavored foods, candy, sauces, etc.)

When I teach my workplace violence prevention programs, we talk about the drugs that tend to be a disinhibitor for violence, with alcohol being Number One. When people ask me if marijuana users can become violent, before I can answer, some wag in the crowd usually shouts, “Not unless they run out!” We all laugh, we agree that marijuana is not a drug that is connected to violence, like booze and stimulants, and we move on.

But while pro-pot people can take the high road (no pun intended) over their alcohol-using counterparts when it comes to violence, or getting behind the wheel of a car loaded on either, the debate as to how much is too much is easy to measure for one and not so for the other.

While the national standard for driving while intoxicated is a blood alcohol level of at least.08, there is no set standard for marijuana use and driving. This is the argument the pro-marijuana lobby has yet to master. How much THC-CCOH (a metabolite in cannabis) in a driver is too much – enough to cause impairment – or too little to make a difference? Some scientific studies are looking at how many nanograms per milliliter of THC-CCOH in the driver’s urine could suggest a standard for impairment, but so far this measurement is too imprecise because it does not consider the user’s driving ability.

Some drinkers can drive relatively safely even at a blood alcohol of.10 (although I certainly wouldn’t ever ride with them), while others might hit five parked cars after only one beer. Body weight, genetic background, tolerance, and drinking experience all play a part in how much impairment is evident, as opposed to only how much is in the blood. Your old Uncle Pete might have been able to put down a quart of scotch a day and keep his job, marriage, driving record, and health intact for 50 years, but you’re not your Uncle Pete.

But for the pot-using driver, what is the “Goldilocks Standard”: too little, too much, or just right, when it comes to THC-COOH? Today, the strength of much of the marijuana grown indoors, with constant hot lights and lots of water, and using new seeds and mixing strains, is eight to ten times more powerful than the pot of twenty to thirty years ago. One hit of smoke from this newer and stronger weed for some drivers could be enough to cause catatonia, hallucinogenic effects, memory, vision, balance, motor skills, and coordination problems. Other people with a lot of pot smoking experience might be able to function fairly effectively (like the longtime drinker who drives, but I’m not still sitting in the passenger seat with the pot user either). Keith Richards has consumed a lot of interesting things in his life and he can still pay a mean guitar after 50 years, but you aren’t Keith Richards.

And how about the workplace and marijuana use? With their medical marijuana cards (MMC) in their hip pockets, some employees in those states that issue them believe they have a free pass when it comes to not passing drug tests for marijuana. Some of these failed drug tests may come during pre-employment screens, post-accident tests, random tests, or tests based on for-cause or “reasonable suspicion.”

“You can’t fire me!” goes their defense, “I have a MMC and I told you I use marijuana medicinally.” Except that the federal standard is that marijuana is still an illegal drug and as such, companies can and do enforce their zero-tolerance policies for employees using alcohol and illegal drugs in their facilities, or while operating their machinery or vehicles, just the same as before.

So until the scientific community comes up with a nationalized standard for what the courts can accept as level of marijuana impairment – below a certain level in your urine is okay to get behind the wheel, above a certain level makes you subject to arrest for being “drunk on drugs” – then the argument for and against Driving on Pot, Enthusiastically (DOPE) will continue.

And until the feds stop their part of the War on Drugs that pertains to marijuana use, sales, cultivation, distribution, possession, growing, etc., then companies will continue to have the right to ask their employees not to use pot at work or come to work high.

Marijuana has a rich history. California’s legalization of medical marijuana through Proposition 215, and the public debate surrounding it, has brought a renewed interest in the cannabis sativa plant from which marijuana is harvested. The growing public acceptance of medicinal marijuana is helping to dispel myths about cannabis.

Only recently has marijuana been treated like a dangerous drug. Ancient cultures appreciated the many practical and medicinal uses of cannabis. As a food, as a fiber, and as a medicinal preparation, cannabis has a fascinating history.

The history of marijuana use goes back more than ten thousand years to where it appears to have originated: in China. Hemp rope imprints on broken pottery dated at about 10,000 B.C. show one of the earliest known uses of the plant. Cannabis was widely grown and cultivated in ancient China.

The oldest knows Neolithic culture in China made clothing, fishing nets, and ropes from the hemp fibers separated from the stems of Cannabis plants. The fibers could be spun into yarn or woven into cloth. Hemp fibers were used beginning in the second or first century B.C. to make the first paper, which was very sturdy and durable.

Cannabis seeds were counted as one of the “five grains” of ancient China, along with barley, rice, wheat, and soybeans. Marijuana seeds were roasted or used to make meal. Cannabis seeds could also be cooked in porridge. These marijuana seeds remained an important part of the Chinese diet until they were replaced with higher quality grains in the 10th Century.

The ancient Chinese people learned to press marijuana seeds to obtain the oil, which could be used for cooking, lamps, or lubrication. The leftover cannabis residue provided feed for domestic animals.

Medicinal marijuana was also used in ancient China. China’s oldest known pharmacological work described marijuana preparations to treat conditions from constipation to malaria. Marijuana treatments included grinding the roots into a paste for treating pain. Chinese surgeon Hua To even used the cannabis plant for surgical anesthesia during the second century.

The earliest records of the psychoactive effects of marijuana are also found in China, dating back to around 2000 B.C. This document, Materia Medica Sutra, notes that the cannabis seed “if taken in excess” will allow the user to see spirits. “If taken over a long-term, it makes one communicate with spirits and lightens one’s body.” Later writers, such as 5th Century Chinese physician T’ao Hung Ching, believed that the hallucinatory effects of cannabis, combined with ginseng, would allow users to see into the future.

California marijuana laws are helping to restore cannabis to its rightful place as a useful and medicinally valuable plant.

When somebody mentions the word marijuana, I am pretty sure that at first, most people will think about something which is negative. People would probably imagine a party filled with teenagers, each holding a joint and smoking weed while getting high. This is a problem for terms such as medical marijuana and the medical use of marijuana. The negative connotation that these words automatically brings up makes it very hard for people to accept this new kind of treatment which involves the use of medical cannabis.

Basically, medical marijuana is the same as the normal cannabis you can find in underground parties used to satisfy addiction. The only difference is that there are controls in place for the medical use of marijuana. It is legal in the eyes of the government and it is for the medical treatment for people who are suffering from certain types of diseases or pain. Medical cannabis can be purchased at special pharmacies or dispensaries that are licensed to sell medical marijuana. These unique dispensaries, although legal, are still forced to have a limited distribution due to certain definitions of the local law. You will first need a prescription from your physician or doctor before you will be granted access in dealing with the dispensary. The prescription must contain a recommendation and the certain ailments you have that require treatment through the medical use of marijuana.

There are now a lot of new minor ailments that marijuana can treat thanks to intensive research. It can be used for the illnesses regarding nausea, vomiting, unwanted weight loss and lack of appetite. Spasticity and pain are also some new ailments that medical marijuana is able to remedy.

The list also includes a few major illnesses such as: cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraines, or other illnesses. Treatment for all these diseases and illnesses are possible thanks to the great progress of medical use of marijuana.

Disclaimer: This article not intended to be nor should it be construed to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice the reader should consult with his or her physician.

Marijuana continues to be the most highly abused drug in America. The arguments for and against the legalization of marijuana continue to escalate. This piece is not intended to set the stage for a legalization debate about marijuana. Instead, I want caution practitioners whose patients under their care test positive for marijuana. Marijuana use is still forbidden by Federal law and patients who self-medicate or abuse marijuana should not be prescribed controlled substances.

Unfortunately, many physicians are often faced with the dilemma of whether or not to prescribe controlled substances to patients who drug test positive for marijuana. This is particularly the case in states that have modified state laws to legalize marijuana. These changes in state law do not change the Federal guidelines that physicians must follow. As a former career DEA agent, I remind physicians that marijuana is still an illegal Schedule I controlled substance with no accepted medical use in the US The fact remains that all state laws have Federal oversight, as stated in the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution. "The Supremacy Clause is a clause within Article VI of the US Constitution which dictates that federal law is the supreme law of the land. Under the doctrine of preemption, which is based on the Supremacy Clause, federal law preempts state law, even when the laws conflict. "(1)

When a physician becomes aware that a patient is using marijuana, alternate methods of therapy should be implemented other than prescribing controlled substances. Physicians should also take steps to refer the patient for treatment and cessation if any illegal drug use is revealed, including marijuana. Physicians should also keep in mind that the marijuana produced today is much more potent than the past and using high potency marijuana in conjunction with controlled substances is not safe for patients.

Is there such a thing as FDA approved medical marijuana? There are two FDA approved drugs in the US containing a synthetic analogue of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the principal chemical (cannabinoid) responsible for marijuana's psychoactive effects. A synthetic version of THC is contained in the FDA approved drugs Marinol (Schedule III) and Cesamet (Schedule II) which are prescribed to treat nausea for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Marinol is also prescribed to stimulate the appetite of cancer and anorexia patients (2). The FDA is currently overseeing trials being conducted on Epidiolex (3), a drug manufactured by GW Pharmaceuticals and developed to reduce convulsive seizures in children. The drug contains cannabinoids from marijuana, referred to as cannabidiol or CBD, which does not contain the psychoactive properties of traditional marijuana and does not produce a high. If this drug receives FDA approval, it would make history being the first approved drug containing CBD in the US

Additionally, DEA has issued a special registration to a research laboratory at the University of Mississippi to cultivate various strains of marijuana for clinical trials (4). This research will continue, but as of this writing, ingesting or smoking botanical marijuana or the cannabis plant itself is not federally approved as an accepted medical treatment in the US Patients who smoke or ingest marijuana need to be aware that they are breaking Federal law and could be prosecuted under Federal statutes. Furthermore, physicians should be testing for marijuana use and if detected, they should not prescribe controlled substances, regardless of their diagnosis and the patient's symptoms, as per current Federal statutes.

Glaucoma is a condition in the eye that can eventually end in blindness. Of the four million Americans estimated to have some form of glaucoma, as many as half of them are unaware of it.

According to the World Health organization, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness. Among African Americans, that statistic jumps to number one.

Most people familiar with glaucoma know that the elderly are particularly susceptible to the condition, but anyone of any age can be affected without warning. Some research shows that glaucoma may be hereditary, but science is still unclear exactly what causes glaucoma to develop.

What has been found is, along with other medications, medical marijuana has greatly reduced the degeneration of vision brought on by glaucoma. Commonly, pressure in the eye is one of the causes of glaucoma. Medical marijuana is beneficial due to some of its chemicals reducing intraocular pressure, also known as IOP, by as much as twenty-five percent.

Some say it's an insignificant gain when you compare the harmful side effects of marijuana, but that conclusion is somewhat biased and without true facts. While marijuana can cause an elevated heart risk to some elderly patients, most people report little to no side effects whatsoever with regular, medicinal use of marijuana. That's a far cry from the pages of possible side effects and horror stories that accompany even the mildest of over the counter drugs.

Marijuana is not a magical cure-all in the treatment of glaucoma. There are – and should be – other medications and remedies, including drops that further reduce pressure in the eye by dilation and other means. Unfortunately, many of these methods can lose their effectiveness over time, and since there is currently no known cure for glaucoma, alternative treatment means are not only preferable, but necessary.

Scientists are hard at work attempting to create a delivery system for glaucoma patients that will allow them to reap the benefits of medical marijuana without the need to smoke it. Thus far, alternative delivery systems for medical marijuana have proven less successful than inhalation, or even ingesting the plant in small doses.

It is highly recommended that after the age of 40, routine eye checks are administered by a professional every other year. This will greatly decrease the odds of late stage glaucoma permanently affecting vision.

As a parent, one of the most difficult aspects of raising a teenager is to help your child fight the urge use alcohol and drugs. Educating yourself regarding the drug slang of marijuana, the most widely abused illicit substance, is an essential step in determining if your teen is smoking the drug and then begin home drug testing to stop the problem before it develops into a habit. Each new generation of young people develop new slang terms for the multitude of drugs that they have access to and it is important to stay on the top of the ever changing terminology.

The Most Commonly Used Marijuana Slang

Marijuana itself is known by many different names depending upon the region of the country, potency of the marijuana, color and other subtle differences in the plant which acts a secret code to determine what a user is offering or purchasing. The slang terms include "pot," "weed," "herb," ​​"bud," "chronic," "ganja," "hash," "trees," and "dank." A bag of marijuana is referred to as a "sack" or "bag" and will often times be described and called upon based upon the weight of the marijuana like "quad" or "eighth" (which means a quarter of an ounce and an eighth, respectively). The utensils and tools used to smoke marijuana have their own abundance of slang terms including "bong," "pipe," "piece," "blunt," and "joint." Learning the various definitions and meanings of the slang terms for marijuana will empower you as a parent to take preemptive steps in order to prevent marijuana usage in your own home.

Coded and Subtle Differences

The common slang terms of weed and pot are interchangeable when referring to any marijuana in general but certain coded vernacular specifically to the potency of the drug. The word "chronic" is known throughout the drug circles as the term for the strongest, most powerful strains of marijuana. Grown indoors or hydroponically, "chronic" maximizes THC content producing super potent pot. On the other end of the spectrum, the slang word "schwag" or "brick" is generally used to describe inexpensive, low quality marijuana which is usually grown outdoors in bulk fields under inferior conditions. The slang "brick" refers to the packaging and pressing method used by many drug cartels to literally smash together and form bricks of the marijuana. Understanding the subtle differences between these marijuana drug slang terms can help you as a parent gain a stronger understanding of which type of pot and how much of it your child may be using.

Terminology of Smoking Utensils

A teenager who has been using and ultimately abusing marijuana will inevitably begin experimentation with the plethora of different tools which can be used to smoke the drug and understanding the different slang terms can help you determine how your child is ingesting the pot. The most commonly used item to smoke marijuana is a simple metal or glass pipe through which the substance is smoked through and inhaled. General slang for pipes include "bubbler," "piece," "hammer," "one hitter," and "tools." More advanced or adventurous smokers use a water pipe, universally referred to as a "bong." Simple hand rolled marijuana cigarettes are called "joints" (often rolled using a common cigarette paper called "zig zags") while a marijuana cigar is known as a "blunt" and is often filled with super potent "chronic."

Dealing and Distribution Slang

Unfortunately, marijuana abuse can lead many teenagers to sell the drug in order to support their habit. There are important slang terms solely related to dealing and distributing the pot. In order to weigh and break up the marijuana, a person needs a scale. The three most commonly used scales are called "hand scales" for the simplicity and ease of use when in someone's hand, a "digi" because it is a digital scale, and a "tri-beam" which refers to a triple beam balance ( think like a high school chemistry set). The price and bag sizes of marijuana are based upon the weight, so pay close attention for slang terms like "eighth," "zip (ounce)" or "QP" (quarter pound).

By combining your knowledge of the slang terms for marijuana, the tools used to smoke the drug, the terms used in its distribution, and simple home drug testing kits you can be assured as a parent that you are doing everything possible to keep your family drug free.

Medical marijuana is becoming a new trend in the treatment and management of several diseases including those chronic fatal ones like cancer, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, brain tumors, and HIV/AIDS. Marijuana is originally a schedule I drug as classified by federal law which means that doctors cannot prescribe it and it is unlawful for pharmacies to dispense it. However because of researches proving the wonder effects of marijuana, 14 states in the United States including Colorado, as well as in Canada, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria have legalized the use of medical marijuana.

There are several medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado. But before you can acquire such, you have to acquire a Medical Marijuana Registry Card coming from the health department in Colorado actually saying that you are eligible for the treatment of medicinal marijuana and/or your driver’s license. To find legal medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado, here are some steps you can follow:

• Search for a dispensary that is near your location online. You can Google it or use Google maps. You will then have a list of dispensaries. Then, try to visit their website so that you will know what they offer, their products menu, free patient consultation, if they require specific fees, or perhaps a discount on their products.

• Search for a dispensary consumer review. These types of information are almost often useful for first-timers who want to try a product or establishments such as a medicinal marijuana dispensary. Consumer reviews can give you educational tips and advices about a particular dispensary and his or her experience whether good or bad.

• Lastly, is to visit the dispensary. There is no better way of telling if the dispensary is efficient or not than the actual experience. Remember that medicinal marijuana dispensary is still a new industry and each of these companies is unique in approaching their clients.

Marijuana is also known as pot, grass and weed but its formal name is actually cannabis. It comes from the leaves and flowers of the plant Cannabis sativa. It is considered an illegal substance in the US and many countries and possession of marijuana is a crime punishable by law. The FDA classifies marijuana as Schedule I, substances which have a very high potential for abuse and have no proven medical use. Over the years several studies claim that some substances found in marijuana have medicinal use, especially in terminal diseases such as cancer and AIDS. This started a fierce debate over the pros and cons of the use of medical marijuana. To settle this debate, the Institute of Medicine published the famous 1999 IOM report entitled Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base. The report was comprehensive but did not give a clear cut yes or no answer. The opposite camps of the medical marijuana issue often cite part of the report in their advocacy arguments. However, although the report clarified many things, it never settled the controversy once and for all.

Let's look at the issues that support why medical marijuana should be legalized.

(1) Marijuana is a naturally occurring herb and has been used from South America to Asia as an herbal medicine for millennia. In this day and age when the all natural and organic are important health buzzwords, a naturally occurring herb like marijuana might be more appealing to and safer for consumers than synthetic drugs.

(2) Marijuana has strong therapeutic potential. Several studies, as summarized in the IOM report, have observed that cannabis can be used as analgesic, eg to treat pain. A few studies showed that THC, a marijuana component is effective in treating chronic pain experienced by cancer patients. However, studies on acute pain such as those experienced during surgery and trauma have inconclusive reports. A few studies, also summarized in the IOM report, have demonstrated that some marijuana components have antiemetic properties and are, therefore, effective against nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects of cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Some researchers are convinced that cannabis has some therapeutic potential against neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Specific compounds extracted from marijuana have strong therapeutic potential. Cannobidiol (CBD), a major component of marijuana, has been shown to have antipsychotic, anticancer and antioxidant properties. Other cannabinoids have been shown to prevent high intraocular pressure (IOP), a major risk factor for glaucoma. Drugs that contain active ingredients present in marijuana but have been synthetically produced in the laboratory have been approved by the US FDA. One example is Marinol, an antiemetic agent indicated for nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy. Its active ingredient is dronabinol, a synthetic delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

(3) One of the major proponents of medical marijuana is the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), a US-based organization. Many medical professional societies and organizations have expressed their support. As an example, The American College of Physicians, recommended a re-evaluation of the Schedule I classification of marijuana in their 2008 position paper. ACP also expresses its strong support for research into the therapeutic role of marijuana as well as exemption from federal criminal prosecution; civil liability; or professional sanctioning for physicians who prescribe or dispense medical marijuana in accordance with state law. Similarly, protection from criminal or civil penalties for patients who use medical marijuana as permitted under state laws.

(4) Medical marijuana is legally used in many developed countries The argument of if they can do it, why not us? is another strong point. Some countries, including Canada, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain, Israel, and Finland have legalized the therapeutic use of marijuana under strict prescription control. Some states in the US are also allowing exemptions.

Now here are the arguments against medical marijuana.

(1) Lack of data on safety and efficacy. Drug regulation is based on safety first. The safety of marijuana and its components still has to first be established. Efficacy only comes second. Even if marijuana has some beneficial health effects, the benefits should outweigh the risks for it to be considered for medical use. Unless marijuana is proven to be better (safer and more effective) than drugs currently available in the market, its approval for medical use may be a long shot. According to the testimony of Robert J. Meyer of the Department of Health and Human Services having access to a drug or medical treatment, without knowing how to use it or even if it is effective, does not benefit anyone. Simply having access, without having safety, efficacy, and adequate use information does not help patients.

(2) Unknown chemical components. Medical marijuana can only be easily accessible and affordable in herbal form. Like other herbs, marijuana falls under the category of botanical products. Unpurified botanical products, however, face many problems including lot-to-lot consistency, dosage determination, potency, shelf-life, and toxicity. According to the IOM report if there is any future of marijuana as a medicine, it lies in its isolated components, the cannabinoids and their synthetic derivatives. To fully characterize the different components of marijuana would cost so much time and money that the costs of the medications that will come out of it would be too high. Currently, no pharmaceutical company seems interested in investing money to isolate more therapeutic components from marijuana beyond what is already available in the market.

(3) Potential for abuse. Marijuana or cannabis is addictive. It may not be as addictive as hard drugs such as cocaine; Nevertheless it cannot be denied that there is a potential for substance abuse associated with marijuana. This has been demonstrated by a few studies as summarized in the IOM report.

(4) Lack of a safe delivery system. The most common form of delivery of marijuana is through smoking. Considering the current trends in anti-smoking legislations, this form of delivery will never be approved by health authorities. Reliable and safe delivery systems in the form of vaporizers, nebulizers, or inhalers are still at the testing stage.

(5) Symptom alleviation, not cure. Even if marijuana has therapeutic effects, it is only addressing the symptoms of certain diseases. It does not treat or cure these illnesses. Given that it is effective against these symptoms, there are already medications available which work just as well or even better, without the side effects and risk of abuse associated with marijuana.

The 1999 IOM report could not settle the debate about medical marijuana with scientific evidence available at that time. The report definitely discouraged the use of smoked marijuana but gave a nod towards marijuana use through a medical inhaler or vaporizer. In addition, the report also recommended the compassionate use of marijuana under strict medical supervision. Furthermore, it urged more funding in the research of the safety and efficacy of cannabinoids.

So what stands in the way of clarifying the questions brought up by the IOM report? The health authorities do not seem to be interested in having another review. There is limited data available and whatever is available is biased towards safety issues on the adverse effects of smoked marijuana. Data available on efficacy mainly come from studies on synthetic cannabinoids (eg THC). This disparity in data makes an objective risk-benefit assessment difficult.

Clinical studies on marijuana are few and difficult to conduct due to limited funding and strict regulations. Because of the complicated legalities involved, very few pharmaceutical companies are investing in cannabinoid research. In many cases, it is not clear how to define medical marijuana as advocated and opposed by many groups. Does it only refer to the use of the botanical product marijuana or does it include synthetic cannabinoid components (eg THC and derivatives) as well? Synthetic cannabinoids (eg Marinol) available in the market are extremely expensive, pushing people towards the more affordable cannabinoid in the form of marijuana. Of course, the issue is further clouded by conspiracy theories involving the pharmaceutical industry and drug regulators.

In conclusion, the future of medical marijuana and the settlement of the debate would depend on more comprehensive and comparable scientific research. An update of the IOM report anytime soon is well-needed.

Following the lead of twenty-three other states, Pennsylvania’s Governor Tom Wolfe made history here on April 17 by signing The Medical Marijuana Act (SB3) into law. Two days later, he turned up in King of Prussia to tout the bi-partisan legislation before “jubilant” crowds, saying, “This is about helping peoples’ lives, about helping people that are going to be better, faster. They’re going to feel better and that is just such a rewarding thing.”

And he could just be right, as our law covers such conditions as:

• Crohn’s Disease
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

The law is set to go into effect next month, but it could take 18 to 24 months to establish all the regulations and get retailers up and running to sell us medical marijuana. The standards, though, are already set for tracking the plants, certifying physicians, and licensing growers, dispensaries, and physicians. Also decided: It will only be available in pill, oil, vapor, ointment, or liquid form. No smoking allowed, growing, either.

It’s all been a long time coming…

Our Jamestown settlers actually brought marijuana to our shores way back in 1611 when they established the first permanent English settlement here. By the 1890’s it was turning up in a variety of medications and was freely sold in pharmacies. Then in the 1920’s, Mexican immigrants introduced us to its recreational use, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Fast forward to 2016, and:

• Medical marijuana is legal in 24 states and D.C., with Pennsylvania the latest to sign on.
• Legalization of medical marijuana is currently pending in Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
• Marijuana is legal for adult and medical use in 4 states: Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska-and D.C., too, but accompanied there by strict restrictions.

Meanwhile, it’s one helluva money-maker, so no wonder budget-strapped states can’t seem to resist the lure. The numbers speak for themselves. Back in 2014, adult use amounted to $373.8 million; add in the total for medical marijuana sales and the figure comes in at a whopping $4.6 billion!

Plus, by 2020, it’s projected that adult use sales will amount to $12.1 billion, while medical sales will top $10.7 billion, for a total of $22.8 billion. Talk about filling the coffers!

So now it’s Pennsylvania’s turn at the trough. Indeed, although our law is brand new, marijuana entrepreneurs are already lining up. Says Doug Porter of the Cannabis Career Institute, “This is a prime time to start a marijuana business.” Indeed, folks in the know actually expect some 245,000 patients to sign on right away and sales to quickly top $100 million.

Adds Michael Bronstein, co-founder of the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp in Philadelphia: “Pennsylvania could be one of these robust states. There is a serious marketplace here.”

The only bumps in the road noted so far:

1. Not enough prescribing docs, as they must first take an online certification course and then opt-in to the program.
2. Along with the ban on smoking and growing, flowers and edibles are not allowed.

In time, restrictions may very well ease, however. After all, just take a look at what’s already happened in places like California. It all started there with legalizing the medicinal use of pot, and now celebrities are making names for themselves in the marijuana marketplace. For instance, while Snoop Dogg hawks his “DANK FROM THE DOGGFATHER HIMSELF,” Melissa Etheridge is offering up marijuana-infused wine-a double whammy if ever there were one.

At the same time, Willie Nelson has partnered with private equity investors to market his “Willie’s Reserve,” and, not to be left out of the boom, either, Whoopi Goldberg and partner Maya Elisabeth now offer women a balm, a tincture, a sipping chocolate, and a bath salt. Really.

All in favor raise your hands and say “Aye.”

One caveat, though: In 2014, the U.S. Addiction Rehab Industry brought in $35 billion a year with more than 14,000 centers nationwide treating some 2.5 million patients and counting…