Exploring the pitfalls and benefits of medical marijuana
DEAR DR. ROACH — What advice do you have for both doctors and patients for approaching medical marijuana use? What is your ideal vision of its future? — C.C.
ANSWER — I look at marijuana as a potentially useful medicinal plant that has several potential downsides. One of the downsides is an unrealistic expectation of its usefulness by believers. I increasingly see claims that marijuana (or one of its extracts) can treat or cure almost every known disease. It also is hampered by its status as a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Agency, so highquality research is difficult to do. Finally, it has been used for many years as a recreational drug (which is partially responsible for the first two downsides). This has led to resistance to the idea among nonbelievers that it might have legitimate use. The psychological effects for which it is used recreationally can cause it to be intolerable for some. Further, a small percentage of people (estimates range between 2 and 6 percent) have difficulty quitting the drug, even when they want to.
Marijuana contains many potentially active chemicals, of which only two (THC and cannabidiol) have been studied well. The best evidence of effectiveness for any type of marijuana product is in epilepsy and chronic pain, but the quality of the data is limited. There are very few situations where I would consider prescribing medical marijuana, but they do exist.
Most of the risks of medical marijuana are also unknown. Anecdotal reports suggest that fewer users of medical marijuana are smoking it, in favor of ingesting extracts. I suspect that this will lead to lower risk of heart and lung problems, but I withhold judgment until there are good data. It also is clear that marijuana can cause or worsen anxiety in some people. Adolescents who use marijuana may be at higher risk of schizophrenia.
My ideal future regarding medical marijuana is one where it is studied openly and subjected to the same scrutiny as other medicines, where both the purified extracts are studied as well as the whole plant. Marijuana needs to be compared against the best treatments we have, not just against placebo. Only this way can we confirm or refute the benefits and risks of this drug.
DEAR DR. ROACH — My physician has recommended a colonoscopy. I’ve never had one and am overdue. My question involves the prep protocol. My wife had one with the doctor who will do mine at the local hospital, and he prescribed a liquid prep mixture that my wife found quite unpleasant. A friend from out of state who had a colonoscopy was given a single pill as a prep. Discuss the difference and efficacy of these two types of prep. I’m inclined to ask the doctor doing my colonoscopy for the pill prep rather than the liquid. — B.W.S.
ANSWER — There are several different preparations available. Most of them involve a fairly large amount of liquid: 2 to 4 liters. I’m afraid my experience is like your wife’s: The preparations are not particularly pleasant, but drinking them quickly, having them cold and using flavorings in them (such as Mio or Crystal Light, but not red-colored ones, though) can make them much more tolerable.
Pill-based colonoscopy preparations, like your friend had, are based on sodium phosphate, and they are used less frequently now because of safety concerns. This is especially true in people whose kidneys are less than perfect (which includes a lot of older people). I recommend the lowervolume liquid (polyethylene) preparation as a good balance between safety and tolerability.
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to: ToYourGoodHealth@med. cornell.edu. Health newsletters may be ordered from www.rbmamall.com.
SUMMER SCIENCE CAMP
WHEN: Deadline to register today; camp 9 a.m. to noon June 5-9 WHERE: AWC Yuma Campus, AS Building GOING ON: Students ages 13-18 can experience different walks of the science platform; camp includes math and maps, electronics and physics, chemistry, entomology, and biology; space is limited COST: $50 INFO: To register, call (928) 317-7674, online at ContinuingEd@azwestern. edu or walk-in to Redondo Center, 1351 S. Redondo Center Drive
MEMORIAL DAY BARBECUE
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: American Legion Post 19, 2575 S. Virginia Ave. GOING ON: Menu is pit barbecue beef, beans, coleslaw, salsa and tortilla; desserts available for purchase; live music by Double Take, general raffle and grand prize drawings; proceeds go to veterans causes COST: Barbecue $7.50 adults; $3.50 kids 12 and under; general raffle 3 for $1 or 20 for $5; grand prize $1 each or 6 for $5 for three drawings INFO: Call Rosalie Mercado at (928) 257-5345 or email romurkydo@ roadrunner.com
MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. WHERE: Sunset Vista Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematory, 11357 E. 40th St. GOING ON: Celebrate Memorial Day
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS BENEFIT
WHEN: Noon WHERE: Yuma Jaycees Clubhouse, 2577 E. County 14th St. GOING ON: The 9th annual Memorial Day support our troops benefit with activities for kids, food, beverages, guest speakers and presentations throughout the day; collecting items to put in care packages for troops serving overseas
SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM
WHEN: Breakfast 8:30 to 9 a.m.; lunch 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday through July 14 (closed 4th of July) WHERE: McGraw Elementary, 2845 Arizona Ave.; O.C. Johnson Elementary, 1201 W. 12th St.; Otondo Elementary, 2251 S. Otondo Drive; Palmcroft Elementary, 901 W. Palmcroft Drive; Main Cafeteria, 450 W. 5th St. (next to 4th Avenue Junior High) GOING ON: Yuma School District 1 will have the summer food service program with free breakfast and lunch for all kids and teens 18 years old and under; parents welcome, no reservations, no paperwork needed COST: Adult breakfast $1.50; adult lunch $2.50 INFO: Call (928) 502-4360 or email cstevens@yuma.org
SUMMER FOOD SERVICE KICK-OFF
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. WHERE: O.C. Johnson Elementary School, 1201 W. 12th St. GOING ON: Yuma School District 1 will have the summer food service kick-off event with free lunch for all kids and teens 18 years old and under; face painting, balloon animals, music, raffle, prizes
FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAINING
WHEN: 1:30 p.m. WHERE: Somerton Library, 240 Canal St. GOING ON: Learn about the different types of portable fire extinguishers and when and how to use them; free
MATADOR BASKETBALL CAMP
WHEN: Pre-register by 4 p.m. today;
SUMMER NIGHT JAZZ
WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. WHERE: Julieanna’s Patio Cafe, 1951 W. 25th St. GOING ON: Yuma Jazz Company Trio will be featured; sponsored by KAWC FM/AM; no admission charge INFO: Visit www.yumajazz.com
UPPER ROOM
WHEN: 7 to 11 p.m. WHERE: Yuma Landing Bar and Grill, 195 S. 4th Ave. GOING ON: Upper Room band will play oldies but goodies
SUMMER READING PROGRAM
KICKOFF WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. WHERE: Heritage Library, 350 S. 3rd Ave. GOING ON: Sign up for Summer Reading 2017 and participate in Angry Birds live, where you can demolish structures, defeat the green-colored pigs; open to kids from newborns to age 12 and their families; free