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?
Although the Institute of Medicine, in the passage quoted by Eric Voth, specifically acknowledged that for some patients smoking would be acceptable, safety concerns connected to smoking are not a serious objection to medical use of whole marijuana. Some patients have always used methods other than smoking -- for example, eating marijuana in cooked foods -- but smoking does have advantages. As a review in The Lancet Neurology noted, "Smoking has been the route of choice for
many cannabis users because it delivers a more rapid 'hit' and allows more accurate dose-titration."
Fortunately, the technology exists to achieve the rapid action and ease of dose titration that causes patients to prefer smoking, but without the tars and other unwanted combustion products in smoke. Vaporization takes advantage of the fact that cannabinoids -- the active components that are desired for medicinal purposes -- vaporize at a temperature below that at which marijuana burns. By heating marijuana to the proper temperature, patients get the therapeutic compounds they need without the smoke they don't. This technology has been studied in the peer-reviewed medical literature and discussed in the American College of Physicians' recent position paper. It's time for those who claim to be concerned about the health risks of smoking to help publicize this important technology, rather than simply using smoking as a phony excuse to oppose medical marijuana.
For more information, see below.
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