New Era For Marijuana?

[CanhamoMAN]

New era for marijuana?

Article

CHAPEL HILL -- I have never used marijuana (Cannabis sativa), have no personal interest in that activity and am too old to start something like that now. When I was an adolescent in Iowa I did, once, experiment with smoking corn silk, the slippery strands which grow out of the tips of corncobs. That was an obnoxious experience. I have never known any human being to try it twice.

In February of last year, the new U.S. attorney general, Eric Holder, announced a change in policy on marijuana. The federal government would treat it as a health issue in those states that have a provision for its medical use. This is a sea change from prior years, when federal officials applied criminal law to this behavior even when a physician approved cannabis use to treat illness.

As of now, 13 states have laws that approve the use of cannabis to treat human illness. The number is growing.

There are two primary reasons for using marijuana, medicinal and recreational. The federal Food and Drug Administration has approved the commercial product Marinol, which contains one of the active ingredients in marijuana, as safe and effective to stimulate appetite and suppress nausea. Recreational marijuana users also report pain relief and changes in mental perception that could point to psychotherapeutic uses.

Last month the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy held a symposium in Tucson, Ariz., on the subject "Legalization of Drugs: Is the Time Right for Medical Marijuana?" The symposium was a measure of the attitude change expressed by federal officials in the new administration. I am sure this topic would not have been discussed two years ago.

I have heard advocates for cannabis use say that they do not object to the imposition of a tax on marijuana, because that could add to the product's legitimacy. Perhaps the combination of reducing public expenses by not chasing after marijuana via costly law enforcement measures and increasing revenue by imposing a tax on willing taxpayers could be attractive to members of North Carolina's General Assembly in a tough budget year.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and development are key industries in this state. Much of the data required by FDA in the new drug approval process comes from contract research organizations located in North Carolina. Two of the leaders in this field are PPD of Wilmington and Quintiles in Research Triangle Park. Because of this and the fact that we're considered to be a progressive state, we need to be cognizant of what is happening with drug laws in other states.

I suggest that a study commission be formed to review the merits of civilizing the status of Cannabis sativa in this state and to report to the General Assembly during the long session in 2011.

David Work is the executive director emeritus of the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy.

Do Site news observer.com

7-01-10

Link Original: http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/columnists_blogs/other_views/story/271255.html