Phyrfight Intel

This from Dr. WC Douglass

Medicinal Meddling

“It’s intentional that I haven’t written much over the years about marijuana.

For one thing, I could only in good conscience write about it from a medical standpoint. And since it seems like the overwhelming bulk of the dialogue about the drug centers on its political aspects, its medicinal properties – and I’m not saying I’m certain there are such (I’ve seen evidence on both sides) – seem always to take a backseat. Because of this, the subject of marijuana use just hasn’t come up very often in contexts I’ve found it necessary to weigh in on.

But now that the FDA has issued an April 20th statement condemning the substance as conclusively having no value as a treatment for disease, I feel like I have some jurisdiction to speak on the matter…

Though in wide use as a recreational and medicinal drug from early in this century, since the 1960s, marijuana has become more than simply a drug, but a symbol for many of the struggle against governmental oppression, and of personal freedom. Which leaves me a bit torn, since I’m typically all about personal freedom (as long as its tempered with accountability), and I’m almost unilaterally against excessive Federal regulation.

However, I’m also not for rampant self-medication with substances we’ve really only half-explored. Seriously, for as much spotlight time as marijuana gets on the public stage, precious little actual scientific study has been conducted on the substance. Whether this is for political reasons or not is irrelevant. It’s simply so. Sure, marijuana has been shown to be helpful for certain specific medical conditions (like glaucoma and nerve pain), but are these limited benefits enough to justify its mass legalization, like so many who support the drug seem to be angling for?

Also, let’s not forget that the double-edged sword of capitalism hangs poised over this issue. On the one hand, if marijuana remains technically illegal (11 states have declared it legal for medicinal use, yet a 2005 Supreme Court decision allows federal authorities to arrest pot-smoking patients even within those states), America will continue to pay the price of the robust and violent black-market pot trade. If it’s made legal, the government gets to line its own pockets by regulating and taxing it like they do tobacco or alcohol.

Bottom line: It’s a Catch-22 – neither of these outcomes is ideal.

But whatever side of the argument you fall on, it’s clear that a lot of people (including many doctors, for what that’s worth nowadays) at least BELIEVE in the benefits of the plant for certain conditions. In my opinion, this fact alone – even if it is one day shown to be only the placebo effect – may warrant giving the drug its “day in court.” Keep reading… ”

http://www.realhealthnews.com/