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AMA Mellows on Medical Marijuana

Doctors group nudges Feds toward reclassification, research

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 11, 2009 9:12 AM CST

(Newser) – The American Medical Association has finally softened on marijuana, urging the government to give it a new classification that would open the door to serious research on its medical merits. Now a Schedule I drug, with no accepted medical uses, under the AMA proposal it would become a Schedule II narcotic, like morphine—still addictive, but with medical applications. “They're clearly taking an open-minded stance and acknowledging that the evidence warrants a review,” a medical marijuana advocate tells the Los Angeles Times.

Still, the AMA was not exactly effusive in its praise of pot. “This should not be viewed as an endorsement of state-based medical cannabis programs,” the new policy reads, “or that scientific evidence on the therapeutic use of cannabis meets the current standards for a prescription drug product.” On the bright side for tokers, the association rejected language that would have called smoking an “inherently unsafe delivery method for any therapeutic agent.”

A tray of marijuana clones, for sale, sit underneath grow lights in the Peace in Medicine dispensary in Sebastopol, Calif.
A tray of marijuana clones, for sale, sit underneath grow lights in the Peace in Medicine dispensary in Sebastopol, Calif.   (AP Photo)
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Despite more than 30 years of clinical research, only a small number of randomized, controlled trials have been conducted on smoked cannabis.
- Dr. Edward Langston, AMA board member

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
diltsduo
Nov 20, 2009 4:50 AM CST
I can go a day without smoking weed, hell a week, month, or whatever. BUT, i tell you i neeeeed my Cigs, whats up with that?
Mad
Nov 11, 2009 8:21 AM CST
Bong hits get you higher! Or so 'they' say :) Glad the AMA has come aboard. One of the best arguments against Medical Marijuana is that the AMA did not endorse the idea. 'Bout time
cochiserocks
Nov 11, 2009 7:21 AM CST
It's complex but as I understand it mostly down to Harry J. Anslinger and William Randolf Hearst - The first for political reasons, the second for commercial reasons - and both agendas are still alive and well today.

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