Doctors oppose medical cannabis

[slimvictor]

http://www.guampdn.com/article/20100723/NEWS01/7230321
BY LAURA MATTHEWS • PACIFIC DAILY NEWS • JULY 23, 2010


A bill seeking to regulate the use of marijuana for medicinal use received opposition from some members of the medical community yesterday in a public hearing at the Legislature.


Doctors opposed "The Compassionate Health Care Act of 2010," or Bill 423, saying the risk of regulating marijuana use would be greater than the benefits.

Drs. Joel Rubio and Annette M. David, from Health Partners LLC, sent a letter to lawmakers informing them of research that notes while there may be justifiable grounds for using marijuana for terminal illnesses and end-of-life care, the medical use of marijuana cannot be freed from the fact that it is addictively used by many for recreation.

Dr. Thomas Shieh, president-elect of the Guam Medical Association, read their letter.

"In our professional and personal opinions, for Guam, the risks far outweigh the benefits," the letter said. "For this reason, and after the review of the literature and evidence and professional deliberation, we oppose Bill 423."

Last month, Sen. Rory Respicio introduced Bill 423 to regulate the recommendation and certification of medicinal marijuana by a licensed physician in order to help people who are suffering from debilitating, chronic and painful illnesses and conditions.

The bill states that in order for licensed physicians to recommend and prescribe medicinal marijuana to patients, the patients would have to register with the Department of Public Health and Social Services, and be certified as having a debilitating medical condition. The bill proposes the establishing of "compassionate health-care centers" that will grow, process and dispense cannabis by prescription only.

Dr. Chen Huang an oncologist at the Cancer Center of Guam, opposed the bill in a letter, saying it would open doors for more abuse.

"Loopholes and abuse of the system is almost certainly bound to occur and it is important to just nip it at the bud," Huang said. "Do not legalize it, do not let it get started."

Some residents living with medical conditions that frequently leave them with pain -- or have family members in such a state -- told lawmakers that the bill could be the relief they need.

"I think it can help a lot of people, especially (those) with disabilities," said Alan Salas from Mongmong. Salas has been taking painkillers for years after being hospitalized after hip surgery because of an infected bone. "It will help the pain. That's it."

Lailani Villagomez, 20, from Yona, testified on behalf of her father, Luis Villagomez, a disabled Vietnam War veteran who has been on painkillers and other medications for various illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

Lailani Villagomez said when her father takes the medication prescribed by doctors, it makes him sick and prevents him from partaking in family activities. Marijuana brings him relief, she said.

"I just hope they pass it," she said

After yesterday's hearing, Respicio said lawmakers have always been open to modify this bill to make sure cannabis is available only for use by patients in need of this kind of medicine.

 

[slimvictor]

Crazy - they oppose the medicine because it is "addictively used by many for recreation" ....????
First of all, that is just wrong, and lame.
Second, shouldn't they also oppose many other medicines, then?

 

[Roger&Me]

Doctors are always opposing stuff; lecturing people about the dangers of mundane activities makes them feel better about themselves.

They get to put on their "expert" hat and forget for a moment that they've been giving prostate exams to geriatric patients for the last twenty years.

 

[LSDMDMA&AMP]

anyone else noticed they said
"nip it in the BUD"
i lol'd

 

[blazelate]

They just know if they used medical mj that they would not have to prescribe drugs like ssri's, benzos, opiates, ect. cause mj would take so many pharmacuticals of the market

 

[:{ d. }:]

They just know if they used medical mj that they would not have to prescribe drugs like ssri's, benzos, opiates, ect. cause mj would take so many pharmacuticals of the market

I second this. Every time I see a commercial on TV for a new prescription drug that will successfully combat depression or some other rpevailing ailment, I always, ALWAYS hear at least 7 other side effects..

"This drug is used to treat depression! Warning: side effects may include depression, suicidal thoughts..."

o__O wtf?

But they know that once weed is widely available to treat all these symptoms WITHOUT the adverse side effects or health risks of every other medication they prescribe (that often times don't work or lead to worse problems) that they'll be fucked.

 

[mecaib]

^, ^^ For sure, these doctors are being paid by the pharmaceutical companies to spout this nonsense. Have you ever been to a licensed doctor who hasn't had advertisements for pharms in their offices? Who in this world lets a company advertise their products for free?

If these doctors were really concerned about their patients' well-being, they would support MM and disfavor drugs like oxycontin, xanax and the like, since they have more side-effects and and more addictive. Hypocrites, all of them!

 

[MadWolfZX]

Well, I'm not aware of research showing that MJ can't take the place of opiate pain killers much of the time, so things like oxy, morphine, etc. are still required. But I agree that many big name meds would have a much smaller market leading to massive losses to big pharma. Doctors are whores much of the time it would seem, unless all those free samples, ads, branded clocks, branded hand sanitizer(Phizer hand san? lol), etc. around every doc's office I have ever been in is just a hobby for the doc.

Hell, if the opiates were still OTC as before 1915, doctors would get much less business since anyone with pain issues would not even bother with a doc visit most of the time since the proper stuff could be purchased OTC and was incredibly low priced. (I saw a photo of a 1900's Sears catalog, mail order two vials of heroin with a glass / metal syringe and fancy carry case for the set, totaled for $1.50 - even with inflation($20-$27), that's very cheap). Raw opiates back then were far cheaper than even alcohol. How I dream of those days, where one could get proper pain relief for a few cents and without DEA interference preventing your treatment! I am a chronic pain patient, and I have a lot of trouble (and big expenses) getting proper pain control - just like most pain patients it seems.

I would like to try cannabis(orally or by vapor only - I can't stand any kind of smoke) for some of my issues - but I live in a state without any easy way to get medical cannabis nor do I know of a high quality dealer - nor would I want to take the risk buying illegal drugs from a dealer.


-Chris

 

[Divine Moments]

Crazy - they oppose the medicine because it is "addictively used by many for recreation" ....????
First of all, that is just wrong, and lame.
Second, shouldn't they also oppose many other medicines, then?

Agreed. It's the kind of argument that would seem valid to much of the population, yet is ludicrous to anyone with an ounce of knowledge. Opiates definitely aren't "addictively used by many for recreation", and prescription oxycodone definitely isn't the most abused opiate in Australia (don't know about elsewhere) 8)8)8)

anyone else noticed they said
"nip it in the BUD"
i lol'd

YES LOL

They just know if they used medical mj that they would not have to prescribe drugs like ssri's, benzos, opiates, ect. cause mj would take so many pharmacuticals of the market

Not really. I agree that it could be used instead of those drugs in some situations, but definitely not most. Opiates are still much more potent analgesics in the majority of cases, and long-term use would generally be unhelpful for patients with depression or anxiety.

I second this. Every time I see a commercial on TV for a new prescription drug that will successfully combat depression or some other rpevailing ailment, I always, ALWAYS hear at least 7 other side effects..

"This drug is used to treat depression! Warning: side effects may include depression, suicidal thoughts..."

o__O wtf?

But they know that once weed is widely available to treat all these symptoms WITHOUT the adverse side effects or health risks of every other medication they prescribe (that often times don't work or lead to worse problems) that they'll be fucked.

I support medicinal marijuana too, but at least be reasonable about it. It isn't some wonder drug that cures all without side effects. Depression is a well-known side effect of mary jane too, and far from the only one.


I think the biggest area in which medicinal mj would be beneficial is palliative cancer patients. They're in pain - it helps that. They're depressed - it can help that (they wouldn't be taking it long enough to be concerned of long-term adverse mental health effects). They have poor appetite and weight loss - it can help with that. Life sucks - it can help with that

 

[mecaib]

Well, I'm not aware of research showing that MJ can't take the place of opiate pain killers much of the time, so things like oxy, morphine, etc. are still required.

You're right, opiates are still very necessary. I guess I was just trying to point out how marijuana is being unfairly discriminated against when there are drugs out there which are more addictive. ones which are often being used solely for their recreational value. (go to the Appalachians and you'll see a big underground market for prescription painkillers)

I would like to try cannabis(orally or by vapor only - I can't stand any kind of smoke) for some of my issues - but I live in a state without any easy way to get medical cannabis nor do I know of a high quality dealer - nor would I want to take the risk buying illegal drugs from a dealer.-Chris

My bro says cannabis works wonders for his back pain, so it can be a good analgesic for some conditions, especially neurological pain. It sucks about you're lack of a good hook-up. I would never buy from someone I don't know. I'd be lucky to get some herb with my pesticides. Buying from just anyone might be fueling drug gangs, too, and there's always the possibility that it's some cop trying to bust your ass. No thanks, I'd rather go without

 

[Pans-Advocate]

I wonder who's writing their paychecks.

 

[FacedAgain]

No, you cant use mmj because its addictive.

*hands over heorin to patient*

There. Dont you feel safer now!!

 

[Mehm]

I'll bet these freedom haters enjoyed a nice martini at the country club to celebrate their success

 

[Moredopamine]

The pharmaceutical industry is an extraordinarily powerful lobbying force. I'm sure there's lots of bribery going on as one can't patent marijuana and so profit margins are slim. This is why there are plenty of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists in the pipeline.

 

[toocoolforschool]

i feel that there is a distinct way that marijuana has to be used outside of medical purposes if one does not want to become "mentaly addicted" to it and that is to be used as a reward AFTER all the things that you needed to do have been done.

my fear is that especialy with all of this talk about a seccond dip in the economy, people are going to look for weed as the solution to CA's budget crisis. looking only at the short term effects, it may be legalized leading to public acess. not informing people how to properly use drugs or being able to enforce propper use may lead to people wake and baking, leaving them with amotivational syndrome all day. this could stop people from working and could play a role in another economy crash there by creating a cycle that feeds it's self only rasing the price of weed because it will now be govermentaly controled and taxed and just like the price of tobaco is so high now, weed will be too.

KEEP IT FOR MEDICAL USE and dont let the general public destroy some thing the cannibus community has worked so hard for over the years.

 

[FacedAgain]

Its ok to wake and bake, as long as you are going to die huh?

Legalising is as much about transforming the stigma of pot in the governments/masses eye then it is about getting access to pot. Everyone can currently go out and purchase it whenever they are located in the world. Kits/adults can wake and bake in the next recession just as they did before the last recession. Thats not the issue. Through reforms in laws - and this includes decrminiaising ALL drugs - will be the only way to minimise the harm done by them to society. Funding provided by regulation is the only the government is going to open up about the truths about drugs. Its the only way people WILL get life/motivational saving information to people who need it. Its the only way people will regain the trust of what governments say about drug usage. Its the only way that medical cannibis will progress into the next generation of medicines. Its the only way the government say anything other then "Just say NO".

This medical community is drunk with their own power. To stoned to understand the consiquences of what they are 'standing' up for. (A movement I personlly beleive was started by the illegal growers to protect there profits).

Cannabis has been used medicinally since the dawn of time. No agruments there... Just as it has been used to provide energy (sativa, working the fields), nutrition, shelter, clothing etc etc AND intoxication for centuries. Im happy to keep certain strains only for medicinal/religious purposes, such as heavy indica's. As long as we get access to sativa for everything else.

Take your own advice and think before u smoke you narrow minded fool.

 

[slimvictor]

Take your own advice and think before u smoke you narrow minded fool.

While I agree with your point that we should have the freedom to use any plant or chemical to alter our consciousness, I wish you would say it more nicely. Everyone's opinion is valuable, even if we don't agree with it, so let's maintain a respectful attitude toward others on this site. In other words, play nice, and remember that all people are our brothers and sisters.

 

[FacedAgain]

While I agree with your point that we should have the freedom to use any plant or chemical to alter our consciousness, I wish you would say it more nicely. Everyone's opinion is valuable, even if we don't agree with it, so let's maintain a respectful attitude toward others on this site. In other words, play nice, and remember that all people are our brothers and sisters.

Sorry, i will try and contain my rage. It just really disheartens me that we have enlightened people who are now spinning government rhetoric to satisfy there own selfish desires. This guy doesnt understand that MMJ would be figment of his imagination if Holland had not been so forward thinking with its drug tolerance policy. California and the rest of the Americans MMJ industry owes EVERYTHING to them (only very recently being able to stands on its own two legs and start to innovate)

 

[toocoolforschool]

I think you and i both have verry similar view points FacedAgain, though we both have different focuses. I to believe that we should be allowed to consume what chemicals we choose and so on but I also believe that there is a direct time and place for every thing.

To see the whole picture we cant focus only at one part of it. you must remember for every move that good makes, evil will counter it, like a game of chess. and with out thinking of the adverse effects that are being brought on, we are only digging our selves into a deeper hole. Though legalization will bring about much more "controlled use" it will also bring about much more abuse and oppertunitys to abuse it. I believe that by letting the "medical community" figure out how to properly educate users, it will reduce the potential for abuse.

One thought on how to do this is by giving out a booklet on marijuana and it's effects and requiring a test before a card is issued, this not neciscary in terminal patients.

My thought is that by KNOWING we can SAFELY EXPERIENCE, extending our stay on this planet. and i believe that you should know what you are consuming and how it affects the body so that you can counter the adverse effects leaving you with only positive effects.

while i do think marijuana should be legalized, my only oposition is this exact time. it is still quite new to modern day society, i mean maybe give it a year or two to first allow medical use to grow and create the rules and guidelines under strict supervision for maximim harm reduction, then after it has been throughly mapped out allow for public use. I just dont want it's abuse to lead to it's delegalization again because it's going to fast. I mean it is easy enough to get a medical card.

But your idea on the legalization of only sativa strains does sound like a good alternative and on a side note i was pretty stoned when i wrote that so good eye.

 

[MadWolfZX]

I think you and i both have verry similar view points FacedAgain, though we both have different focuses. I to believe that we should be allowed to consume what chemicals we choose and so on but I also believe that there is a direct time and place for every thing.

To see the whole picture we cant focus only at one part of it. you must remember for every move that good makes, evil will counter it, like a game of chess. and with out thinking of the adverse effects that are being brought on, we are only digging our selves into a deeper hole. Though legalization will bring about much more "controlled use" it will also bring about much more abuse and oppertunitys to abuse it. I believe that by letting the "medical community" figure out how to properly educate users, it will reduce the potential for abuse.

One thought on how to do this is by giving out a booklet on marijuana and it's effects and requiring a test before a card is issued, this not neciscary in terminal patients.

My thought is that by KNOWING we can SAFELY EXPERIENCE, extending our stay on this planet. and i believe that you should know what you are consuming and how it affects the body so that you can counter the adverse effects leaving you with only positive effects.

while i do think marijuana should be legalized, my only oposition is this exact time. it is still quite new to modern day society, i mean maybe give it a year or two to first allow medical use to grow and create the rules and guidelines under strict supervision for maximim harm reduction, then after it has been throughly mapped out allow for public use. I just dont want it's abuse to lead to it's delegalization again because it's going to fast. I mean it is easy enough to get a medical card.

But your idea on the legalization of only sativa strains does sound like a good alternative and on a side note i was pretty stoned when i wrote that so good eye.

A primary problem with above belief it should be 'controlled' by medical community, is that no illegal drug is controlled by ANYONE or ANYTHING. Leaving it to the medical community would be similar to opiates 'controlled' (or actually NOT - that is the point) by this community. That alone is a reason to legalize sale and production openly to people of legal age; to regulate quality/purity/dosage(for dose relevant drugs) and to eliminate the open/unregulated illegal market that has no regulation(not even of safety/dose of something as dangerous as heroin - which my god - MUST be regulated in quality/dose to even have a chance of being safely used). Also, price would be greatly reduced from all legalized/regulated drugs, radically, removing much of the hardships that arise from the cost factor in the first place. Oxycodone for example, has a value of $0.50-$1.00 per mg on the black market. It's worth is something like 1/100th this in reality(in a legal capacity). So let's hypothesize on this: a monster oxycodone habit would be no more costly than a tobacco habit - but the oxy is safer....

Chris