Doubts raised about medical marijuana

As the myth of medical marijuana marches on, there remain so many areas of concern, from the environmental issues of growing/processing sites to the lack of research/testing of the “final” products.

In my opinion, so many people are looking at marijuana — with its main, mind-altering ingredient THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) — as a medical miracle that it bears repeating it has not been researched, tested for side effects/long-term effects, and vetted through clinical trials for efficacy or approved by the Food and Drug Administration. As a comparison, every drug you take or give to your children has been through the following processes (“Reader’s Digest” condensed version):

• Pre-clinical testing: Year 1-2 (Assess safety and biological activity).

• Phase 1: Year 3; 20 to 80 healthy volunteers (Determine safety and dosage)

• Phase 2: Year 4-5: 100 to 300 volunteers with disease (Evaluate effectiveness and side effects)

• Phase 3: Years 6-8: 1,000 to 3,000 volunteers with disease (Verify effectiveness and monitor long-term use) If trial successful: • Submit to FDA for approval: Average 1 year

• Next 3 years drug is marketed; a fourth clinical trial is required if adverse effects noted.

• Total average time to develop and market a new drug (safely): 12 years

(Source: Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America)

Ask yourself, are you willing to use a product or give it to your children without this background?

Are you willing to risk becoming addicted, building tolerance, needing stronger drugs?

How will your physician know the correct dosage, the potential side and long-term effects?

What will it be like having a growing site, processing site or dispensary near you?

I would recommend educating yourself with information from these organizations, which I consider reputable and nonbiased, that continue to monitor and study the medical marijuana industry and its claims: The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program; the Prevention Action Alliance (formerly the Drug Free Action Alliance); and Smart Approaches to Marijuana. Suzi Breedlove Citizens Against Marijuana Montville Township