GoldChico
New Member
Canadians now have access to a legal spray alternative to medical marijuana. Beginning this week, multiple sclerosis patients with constant tingling pain can get a doctor's prescription for a new drug, Sativex, derived from the marijuana plant.
The under-the-tongue spray, approved only in Canada, is one of several emerging alternatives to smoking pot for medical relief. The new pharmaceuticals, some of which may not enter the U.S. market for years, may alter the public debate about medical marijuana.
"People ... who don't want to break the law" will use the spray, says Dr. Lester Grinspoon, professor emeritus at Harvard University and an advocate for legalizing pot use. "They're elevating the debate on medical marijuana."
But Grinspoon expects many new users will find they prefer smoking marijuana. "There is no holding back medical marijuana. It's going to happen," he says.
Tom Riley, spokesman for the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy, agrees there's change ahead. But he says the new drugs will lessen the controversy over medical marijuana.
Riley says the Bush administration, which has opposed medical pot use, would welcome alternatives that are scientifically proved to be safe and effective. Several Republicans, led by Rep. Mark Souder of Indiana, cited the availability of Marinol – a pill with the active pot ingredient THC – in arguing against a bill to protect medical pot users from federal prosecution.
The U.S. House broadly defeated that bill last week. Its rejection followed a Supreme Court ruling earlier this month that allows federal prosecution even if smokers are following state laws. Currently, 10 states allow medical pot use.
Source: USA Today (US)
Author: Wendy Koch, USA Today
Published: June 23, 2005
Copyright: 2005 USA Today, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Contact: editor@usatoday.com
Website: USA TODAY - Today's Breaking News, US & World News
The under-the-tongue spray, approved only in Canada, is one of several emerging alternatives to smoking pot for medical relief. The new pharmaceuticals, some of which may not enter the U.S. market for years, may alter the public debate about medical marijuana.
"People ... who don't want to break the law" will use the spray, says Dr. Lester Grinspoon, professor emeritus at Harvard University and an advocate for legalizing pot use. "They're elevating the debate on medical marijuana."
But Grinspoon expects many new users will find they prefer smoking marijuana. "There is no holding back medical marijuana. It's going to happen," he says.
Tom Riley, spokesman for the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy, agrees there's change ahead. But he says the new drugs will lessen the controversy over medical marijuana.
Riley says the Bush administration, which has opposed medical pot use, would welcome alternatives that are scientifically proved to be safe and effective. Several Republicans, led by Rep. Mark Souder of Indiana, cited the availability of Marinol – a pill with the active pot ingredient THC – in arguing against a bill to protect medical pot users from federal prosecution.
The U.S. House broadly defeated that bill last week. Its rejection followed a Supreme Court ruling earlier this month that allows federal prosecution even if smokers are following state laws. Currently, 10 states allow medical pot use.
Source: USA Today (US)
Author: Wendy Koch, USA Today
Published: June 23, 2005
Copyright: 2005 USA Today, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Contact: editor@usatoday.com
Website: USA TODAY - Today's Breaking News, US & World News
