Marijuana Has No Legit Medical Use, Feds Say; New SoCal Study Calls B.S.

By Dennis Romero Mon., Jul. 9 2012 at 12:19 PM

aeroSOUL / Flickr

Uncle Sam still doesn't recognize pot as medicine. In fact, under U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration rules, it's considered worse than cocaine: Cannabis is a top, "Schedule I" outlaw, which means it has "no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision."

This, of course, is patently untrue, seeing that doctors right here in this part of the United States have found plenty of accepted medical uses:

Is this a case of law enforcement trumping science? A new research paper out of Southern California says yes.

The study from the state-organized Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at UC San Diego says what we pretty much already know, that "it is not accurate that cannabis has no medical value, or that information on safety is lacking."

The paper, "Medical Marijuana: Clearing Away the Smoke," published in the latest Open Neurology Journal, concludes that there are plenty of medical uses for pot, including "treatment of painful peripheral neuropathy and muscle spasticity from conditions such as multiple sclerosis."

It also notes that oral THC (dronabinol), which is legal, is used to control of nausea and vomiting and to promote weight gain (for those with HIV or cancer).

The academics, including Igor Grant, director of the center, conclude that marijuana is, in practice and potential, more akin to a much-more-legit Schedule III drug:

Tags:

ASA, Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, DEA, drugs, marijuana, medical marijuana, Schedule I, UCSD

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QueenBofOB

In 1996 I was assaulted by a "BOYfriend" who crushed my spine, when I tried to extricate myself from the relationship. I refused surgery as his actual girlfriend is an RN and I feared for my life (she had the audacity to rob my garage and abuse my 2 little dogs who were in there while I was hospitalized.) So I insisted on being released in a body cast, hoping I would heal naturally and mainly to get home and protect my property. After 2 yrs of walking around in pain that kept worsening, I agreed to have the surgery that would involve placing metal rods and a plate in my back. It was a major operation that required prying apart my rib cage to access my spine. Upon awakening from surgery, I had a completely paralyzed right leg, my surgeon said it was because of the spinal cord damage. I spent 1 month in the hospital after demanding to be released. Upon returning home, I smoked some marijuana and while listening to my stereo, forgot myself and STOOD up--unasssisted for the first time. Once I realized what I'd done, I immediately thought to myself "WHAT am I doing? I can't do this!" And I fell back on my couch. That was proof enough to me of what I needed to do to rehabilitate myself and be able to return to my job (my surgeon said I wouldn't be able to walk for 2 yrs), which I did SIX MONTHS later and was able to work another 10 yrs. and make a contribution to society--instead of living the rest of my days in a wheelchair on public assistance. It wasn't vicodin or morphine that helped me to accomplish this, but a plant that grows natutally in the ground, that I have NEVER had an adverse reaction to, unlike pharmaceutical meds. I still have debilitating pain every day and am able to function normally, instead of being a raging psychotic filled with anger, ONLY because I use marijuana.

Jpkb

When will we learn that no matter how much scientific research proof we shove in front of the FEDS, the Pharmaceutical companies will just fund more financial assist to the GOVERNMENT to continue to say it is a scheduled 1 drug...... What we need is our darn President to keep his word and help legalize it period!!!!!

Pat Shane

Estimates show that marijuana is America’s number one cash crop, making more money than corn and tobacco. However, marijuana remains untaxed. Over 500 of the nation’s top economic professors from prestigious schools such as Harvard, MIT, University of Chicago and George Mason University have shared their opinion in supporting the removing the prohibition and imposing the taxation and regulation of marijuana as a way to slow the federal deficit. Please join electedface.com and sign the petition at electedface.com supporting the taxation and regulation of marijuana. When you sign up for electedface members can even create their own groups and will automatically be connected to their state legislatures, allowing users to lobby their point of view in numbers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_tUy6fylQs

Jose Gonzales

Former President Nixon's curse is fading away yet the government acts as though he is still their God.

nancy

I agree totally. If everyone could go home and smoke a dubbie, there would be no need for alcohol and hard core drugs for the majority of people. But we also know, that a lot of people would do without prescription drugs to and apparently this is a BIG problem for corrupt pharmaceuticals and our government in bed with them.

nancy

We know why it's illegal, easy money and quick way to keep a thumb on Americans and totally corrupt and unjustified. We've all known this for 42 years, in particular, all the young baby boomers who are now old and taught their children to see through the BIG LIE. Notice how everyone in America seems to hate cops now, especially young people. The local police forces thirst for corrupt war on drugs monies has changed the face of America forever and it's not a good face.

Bddenning86

Uncle SAMs an alcoholic that doesn't have brain cells to understand the medical value of cannabis.

Muzzy Lu

Marijuana should be legal! It might lessen the addiction to far more harmful drugs, like alcohol, tobacco, crack, and meth. Marijuana is a very healthy food if taken as an edible, not smoked. There is a great $2.99 e-book on medical marijuana: MARIJUANA - Guide to Buying, Growing, Harvesting, and Making Medical Marijuana Oil and Delicious Candies to Treat Pain and Ailments by Mary Bendis, Second Edition. This book has great recipes for easy marijuana oil, delicious Cannabis Chocolates, and tasty Dragon Teeth Mints.

Loni_huchi

Always go for a jury trial...this is why we have the system...To nullify ignorance.

Matthew Cunningham

Is there no end to the Lies Fraud and Scam of this. American Pharmacopoeia 1936, 17 pages on Cannabis medicine How can our children respect our government when even they know the truth.