Millions of Americans take prescription drugs to treat a plethora of illnesses and symptoms, but not all drugs are created equal. The question of whether or not to consider marijuana a viable medical treatment remains a hot button issue. In states like California, medical marijuana clubs have flourished despite their federal illegality. Should the federal government allow states to make their own decisions, or is marijuana nothing more than a dangerous narcotic?
Every month, four Americans battling serious illnesses receive a metal canister from the U.S. government, containing about 10 ounces of marijuana in pre-rolled cigarettes. The program under which these patients receive government-supplied medical marijuana began on May 10, 1978. Referred to as a Compassionate Investigational New Drug (IND) program, it resulted from a lawsuit filed by glaucoma patient Robert Randall, who successfully showed that his use of marijuana was a medical necessity
The program slowly grew, with 34 patients approved to participate by1991 (though less than half actually received federal marijuana). But a flood of new applications from patients battling AIDS -- who found that marijuana boosted their appetite and relieved the nausea often caused by anti-HIV drugs -- threw the administration of George H.W. Bush into a panic. The administration closed the program to new applicants in March 1992, but has continued to supply medical marijuana to the four surviving patients.
This may seem shocking. After all, isn't our government's official position that marijuana is not a medicine but a dangerous, addictive substance that only causes harm?
Exactly. Which means that in the U.S. government's official view, it is poisoning four innocent people -- except, of course, that the patients are doing well and have clearly benefited from marijuana therapy, as discussed in more detail below.
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