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Show Analysis Shows Some Benefits of Medical Marijuana By V. Knight-Ridde- Dion Haynes r Newspapers LOS ANGELES - A study commissioned by the government offers scientific evidence that supports what advocates of medical marijuana have said for years: Marijuana can be effective in treating pain for some terminally ill patients, and legalizing it for medicinal use would not lead to widespread abuse. In issuing the report Wednesday, the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine contradicted U.S. drug policy director Barry McCaffrey's repeated assertions that "not a shred of scientific evidence" exists to support medical marijuana and that legalizing it would send the wrong message to young people. McCaffrey had called for the study in early 1997 after California voters approved a ballot measure that legalized marijuana for some medical purposes. Since then, McCaffrey has sought unsuccessfully to defeat similar initiatives in Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. He said the study would help him base future policies on science and remove politics from the debate. He urged the National Institute of Health and the Food and Drug Administration to conduct clinical studies on marijuana and pressed pharmaceutical companies to develop alternatives to smoking, such as inhalers, patches and suppositories, that could deliver to patients the active ingredients in marijuana more safely. But whether the study will spur policy changes or simply add fuel to the political controversy is uncertain. A 1980s federal study of marijuana led to the development of a pill, called Marinol, that uses the active ingredients of marijuana. But McCaffrey said studying marijuana generally is a low priority for the federal agencies and that pharmaceutical firms have little interest in working with it. "I want the National Institute of Health to look carefully and respectfully at the findings. What we will aggressively support is continued research," McCaffrey said. He noted that developing a new drug generally takes 10 years and costs $200 million to $300 million. "Our experience is that there is little commercial interest for this drug," he said. Robert Maginnis, director for national security and foreign affairs for the Family Research Council, said, "Marijuana legalizers are making serious gains across America by using the issue of 'medical' marijuana and the vehicle of compassion to buy sympathy votes. "Sick and dying people do not need marijuana," Maginnis said. "They need good medicine, which our doctors have available for every ailment marijuana allegedly helps." "This report undermines the claims that marijuana is dangerous and has no medical value," said Bill Zimmerman, executive director of Americans for Medical Rights and author of the book "Is Marijuana the Right Medicine for You?" "The report will launch legal efforts and political efforts. Government agencies, medical schools and Congress will debate this," Zimmerman added. "There will be mounting pressure on the Clinton administration to reschedule (marijua St. George, UT Is offering a course in Dental Assisting. The course will be taught on Saturdays for ten consecutive weeks in a rt equipment. practicing dental office using state-of-the-a- The course includes: Sterilization procedures training Radiology Four handed chairside assisting Impressions and lab procedures All textbooks, class notes, materials and supplies Training in all aspects of General Dentistry assisting Use of all equipment for a true hands-o- n experience Enter to Win One complete outfit y) Drawing at 12:30 pm The all inclusive fee is $1795. If you are planning on to win off all clothing DIXIE COLLEGE BOOKSTORE DIXie Gardner Student Center 2nd Floor Mon. thru Thurs.- - 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fri.- - 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dental Assisting Southern Utah Dental Careers March 31, 1999 12:00 pm Gardner Center Patio Hours: ed In FASHION SHOW Pick up coupon for 25 AIDS-induc- Begin Your Career Dixie College Bookstore Must be present na)." Rep. Barney Frank, already has introduced a bill that would eliminate some of the hurdles for researchers. The report suggests that marijuana can be effective for from suffering people nausea chemotherapy-induce- d and weight loss. The researchers acknowledge that users can become dependent on marijuana, but less so than for cocaine, opiates or nicotine. As with tobacco, smoking marijuana can cause cancer, lung damage and babies for pregnant women, the report noted. "We see little future in smoked marijuana for medical use," said Dr. John A. Benson Jr., dean of the Oregon Health Sciences University's school of medicine and author of the study. becoming a dental assistant, this is the course for you! Start on your new career today! CALL 0 (435) For More Information 656-590- COLLEGE |