News
Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 1995
Response
to JAMA Article Titled "Marihuana as Medicine"
In response to an
article titled "Marihuana as Medicine" that appears as commentary
in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
Thomas A. Constantine, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) states, "I am very concerned about the JAMA commentary
that advocates the medical use of marijuana. Marijuana is a listed as
Schedule I under the Controlled Substance Act because it has a high potential
for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. The DEA will remain opposed
to the rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule II because
there are no proven medical applications for its use. In fact, the American
Glaucoma Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the International
Federation of Multiple Sclerosis Societies and the American Cancer Society
have rejected marijuana as medicine. Statements issued by these organizations
express concern over the harmful effects of marijuana and the lack of
solid research demonstrating that its use would do more good than harm."
Constantine states,
"As a law enforcement officer, I am well aware of the problem that
dangerous drugs have caused our society. The impact of drugs and drug-related
violence is seriously threatening our quality of life."
"Just last
year, the AMA issued a policy statement on marijuana that says, 'The AMA
believes that cannabis is a dangerous drug and as such is a public health
concern.' Regardless of this recent article, I am encouraged that the
official AMA position is consistent with the DEA's," stated
Constantine.
Schedule I substances
include such drugs as marijuana, heroin and LSD, for which there is no
established legitimate medical use. As a Schedule I controlled substance,
marijuana cannot be prescribed by physicians. Contrary to the inference
of the commentary in JAMA, there is a procedure in place that allows qualified
researchers to conduct well-designed, well-controlled studies of Schedule
I substances including marijuana. Since 1971, the DEA has been accepting
applications for clinical research of Schedule I controlled substances.
At the present, there are 2,040 applicants registered to engage in activities
with Schedule I drugs; of these 1,605 are for marijuana. This includes
research activities of all types.
Those seeking to
conduct such research must submit an application for registration with
the DEA together with a protocol describing the nature of the research,
measures designed to insure the safety of human subjects involved, and
security measures to safeguard drugs acquired and used for the research.
The DEA's responsibilities pertain to the safeguarding drug stocks, the
necessary approvals of state governments, the history and professional
standing of the staff, and the overall bona fides of the proposal. A copy
of the protocol is immediately sent to the Food and Drug Administration
for medical and scientific evaluation. After careful consideration of
all of the factors involved, a decision is made by each of the two agencies
according to their interests and responsibilities.
"At a time
when drug use represents a major threat to our society, in particular
our youth, it is extremely important to rely upon sound medical studies
rather than anecdotal information to determine the proper place of marijuana
under the Controlled Substances Act." states Constantine.
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