The American Medical Association has stepped boldly forward into the modern era of medical marijuana recommeding that cannabis' status as a Schedule I drug in the federal Controlled Substances Act be "reviewed." In 2001, the AMA called for marijuana's scheduling to remain status quo "pending the outcome of studies."

The Council on Science and Public Health (CSAPH) report, "Use of Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes," details and affirms the medical benefits of marijuana while calling for "clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines." The report states that "short term controlled trials indicate that smoked cannabis reduces neuropathic pain, improves appetite and caloric intake especially in patients with reduced muscle mass, and may relieve spasticity and pain in patients with multiple sclerosis."

This reversal on the part of the largest physician's group in the U.S. also represents a full circle for the influential organization. In 1937, the AMA opposed the Marijuana Tax Act which effectively prohibited pot. At the time, the AMA's legislative council prophetically noted: “The prevention of the use of the drug for medicinal purposes can accomplish no good end whatsoever. How far it may serve to deprive the public of the benefits of a drug that on further research may prove to be of substantial value, it is impossible to foresee."

The CSAPH report "urges that marijuana's status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines, and alternate delivery methods. This should no be viewed as an endorsement of state-based medical cannabis programs, the legalization of marijuana or that scientific evidence on the therapeutic use of cannabis meets the current standards for a prescription drug product."

The White House Office of Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) restated its opposition to marijuana legalization in favor of the "FDA's judgment that the raw marijuana plant cannot meet the standards for identity, strength, quality, purity, packaging and labeling required of medicine."

Marijuana is currently classified by the FDA and DEA as a Schedule I drug, which allows for no medical use, unlike Schedule II drugs, such as cocaine and morphine.

The CSAPH report concludes: "The future of cannabinoid-based medicine lies in the rapidly evolving field of botanical drug substance development, as well as the design of molecules that target various aspects of the endocannabinoid system. To the extent that rescheduling marijuana out of Schedule I will benefit this effort, such a move can be supported."

Read the CSAPH report here

CelebStoner blogger Chris Goldstein contributed to this post • This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


Also see:

White House Issue Medi-Pot Memo
Medical Marijuana on the Move
More CelebStoner News

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