The War On Drugs Is Also A War On Research On Drugs
An excerpt from an LA Times editorial:
For a muscular agency that combats vicious drug criminals, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration acts like a terrified and obstinate toddler when it comes to basic science. For years, the DEA and the National Institute for Drug Abuse have made it all but impossible to develop a robust body of research on the medical uses of marijuana.A pro-marijuana group lost its legal battle this week when a federal appellate court ruled that marijuana would remain a Schedule I drug, defined as having no accepted medical value and a high potential for abuse. The court deferred to the judgment of federal authorities, quoting the DEA's statement that "the effectiveness of a drug must be established in well-controlled, well-designed, well-conducted and well-documented scientific studies.... To date, such studies have not been performed."
But guess who bears responsibility for this level of ignorance? The DEA itself, which through its ultra-tight restrictions on marijuana has made it nearly impossible for researchers to obtain the drug for study, and the National Institute for Drug Abuse, which controls the availability of the tiny quantity of research-grade marijuana that is federally approved for production.
The few, smaller studies conducted so far suggest marijuana has promise as a medicine, but they're far from conclusive. The National Cancer Institute and the Institute of Medicine support further research.
So weed is bad for you, but cocaine is fine for study and use in meds
lujlp at February 2, 2013 11:18 PM
Los Zetas drug cartel was founded by a bunch of ex elite Mexican military guys trained by the US and Israeli special forces (in US soil).
Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside right?
The best part? These guys aren't even that much into drugs...they like you know the other aspects of the biz (murdering mostly)
I feel so good knowing my government trains the own people it's fighting.
Ppen at February 3, 2013 12:27 AM
Cocaine is used as a local numbing agent in ENT surgery where it's common to use cocaine-soaked pledgets in the nose as packing immediately after surgery. It numbs and restricts tissue swelling. I am aware of no other medical use of cocaine beyond that.
I know here where we have legal medical marijuana it's very abused. 85% of marijuana card holders are male with 75% claiming it for pain management. Interesting, 90% of all pain patients are women in general are women so there is a huge discrepancy between the numbers there. Of the marijuana card holders that are women, the majority are cancer patients. I don't know if it serves any legitimate purpose in pain management or nausea or if it's at least as good as other available prescription medications, but I have seen several studies linking marijuana use to brain tumors and neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis. It has also been shown to worsen glaucoma despite being widely claimed to help relieve ocular pressure. There have also been long-term studies done on marijuana users showing a permanent drop in IQ and cognitive function, although I don't to what degree (not sure the study said, or at least I don't remember). It's also been shown that just one use of marijuana stays in system and affects brain chemistry and function for up to 6 weeks. Based on the demonstrated negatives and lack of scientifically validated positive claims, I don't know that it serves a legitimate medical purpose beyond the antinausea and increased appetite effect attributable to the THC in it of which the prescription medication Marinol is. It just lacks the other 40 or so chemicals and the ability to get you high because of it.
BunnyGirl at February 3, 2013 12:39 AM
The legalization of any drug is going to cause blood in the streets. I get it. Now prove why 18 states with legal marijuana are wrong.
Meanwhile D.C. allows you to have two ounces of pot but it is practically illegal to own and carry a firearm.
Meanwhile Illinois has restrictions on both firearms and drugs, but had over 500 killed in Chicago in 2012.
I want one example of the government institution of prohibition working. Please. Give it to me. Then I may believe it. Otherwise give me another solution.
Jim P. at February 3, 2013 2:24 AM
It is blindingly obvious that it is in the best interests of the major pharmaceutical companies to keep these studies from being done. There's no money in marijuana for them.
But hey, let's all be sheep and cry about medicinal marijuana being abused, because no one abuses 'legal' drugs. Especially ALCOHOL.
DrCos at February 3, 2013 4:30 AM
Oops, sorry about the 'sheep' thing. Everyone is entitled to their views without namecalling.
Of course, I reserve the right to call myself an insensitive asshole once in a while.
DrCos at February 3, 2013 4:35 AM
"the best interests of the major pharmaceutical companies to keep these studies from being done"
Not if they can develop a strain of marijuana that has the best results.
I went on "drug deal" one time back in 1987. Someone I used to know sold pot and embraced an alternative lifestyle. But the people buying the marijuana weren't the stereotypical pot smokers you read about in the news -- they were an elder couple and one was sick from chemo. The marijuana eased the nausea and helped their appetite.
As someone said on an earlier thread, it's curious why so many people who use marijuana and lead productive lives still refuse to speak up about legalization. I wonder if that has more bearing on drug policy rather than pharmaceutical company interests.
Jason S. at February 3, 2013 2:27 PM
>>There have also been long-term studies done on marijuana users showing a permanent drop in IQ and cognitive function, although I don't to what degree (not sure the study said, or at least I don't remember).
Yeah and the last one was debunked. Evidentally there were other socio-econmic factors involved. Anecdotally, I know one guy who has smoked marijuana for over 30 years on a daily basis. He's very intelligent and an engineer. If he's lost IQ points, you can't tell.
JoeBlow at February 4, 2013 7:56 AM
As someone said on an earlier thread, it's curious why so many people who use marijuana and lead productive lives still refuse to speak up about legalization. I wonder if that has more bearing on drug policy rather than pharmaceutical company interests.
Posted by: Jason S. at February 3, 2013 2:27 PM
____________________________________
A lefty friend of mine, to my surprise, said he was opposed to medical marijuana because "it would just put more money into the hands of the rich."
I say, if we're heading toward taxing marijuana, as a whole, like alcohol, and legalizing medical marijuana is only a sideways step in that direction, let's get it over with in a hurry. Last I heard, the deficit was still there, so we could really use the taxes. Not to mention that we could also use the extra police forces to work on things like murder and robbery.
lenona at February 4, 2013 2:02 PM
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