ALASKANS FOR CANNABIS THERAPEUTIC RESEARCH

"Accumulating ALASKA'S LARGEST SOURCE of Cannabis Therapeutic Research

POSITION PAPER

Definition:
Drug, (noun), A substance used as medicine in the treatment of an illness
or disease.
source: Webster's Collegiate Dictionary....

Therapeutic Value

Cannabis has been used medicinally throughout the world for
centuries, cannabis contains more than 60 cannabinoids which are unique to
the cannabis plant, one of which is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the
main psychoactive cannabinoid. However, it appears to be the combination
of various cannabinoids which seem to have the greater therapeutic value.

As a medicine, cannabis has been found to be effective in a)
reducing intraocular pressure in Glaucoma, thus preventing blindness, b)
reducing nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, c) stimulating
the appetite for AIDS patients suffering from the wasting syndrome, d)
controlling spasticity associated with spinal cord injuries and Multiple
Sclerosis, e) increasing comfort for persons suffering from chronic pain,
and f) controlling seizures for persons suffering from seizure disorders.
While the mechanism of action is not completely understood,
cannabis seems to work differently than many conventional medications,
which offers a possible alternative when the conventional therapies are not
effective.

Safety

Regarding it's safety, Judge Francis Young, Administrative Law
Judge of the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), noted in his ruling after
concluding two years of testimonies and hearings in 1988, found that
cannabis was "one of the safest, most therapeutically active substances
known to man." He then ruled that federal prohibition against cannabis's
medicinal use was "unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious," and
recommended that cannabis be made immediately available by prescription for
medicinal use. (Moved to Schedule II)
Cannabis is virtually non-toxic, 100% of the studies done at dozens
of American Universities show that cannabis's toxicity, simply does not
exist. Throughout all of medical history, there is not one record of
anyone dying from an overdose of cannabis. The estimated "lethal" dose
is estimated to be 20,000 to 40,000 times the mormal dose, (80,000
"joints," or over 80 pounds.)
The only side effect of greatest concern is the potential harm to
the lungs caused by smoking, (i.e., the build up of tars and carcinogenic
compounds). However, this risk is virtually non-existent, according to
America's foremost lung expert, Dr. Donald Tashkin of UCLA, feels that
there is no danger for anyone to worry about potentiating emphyzema "in
any way" by the use of cannabis. "Cannabis used effectively dilates the
airways of the lungs, the bronchi, opening them to allow more oxygen to the
lungs. It is also the best natural dilator of the tiny airways of the
lungs, (the bronchial tubes), making cannabis the best dilator
available"....., Dr. Donald R. Tashkin, (Marijuana Pulmonary Research,
UCLA, 1969-1995).
All drugs pose potential risks, and when used medicinallly the goal
is to maximize the benefits and reduce the risks.

Potential for Abuse

In regard to physical dependence from chronic, regular use,
cannabis has relatively minor, if any, withdrawal symptoms, depending on
the patient's individual physiology. Tolerance to natural cannabis
develops slowly, if at all. The effects of cannabis are generally more
subtle than those of other drugs of potential abuse. It is stronly
recommended that potential patients understand the difference between
clinical therapeutic use and psychological chronic addiction.

Role of Nurses

As a nurse, and a member of the National Nurses Society on
Addictions (NNSA), we have an understanding of the negative health
consequences that substance abuse and/or addiction can cause. Substance
abuse and addiction are not about "bad" drugs, but rather about "bad"
or unhealthy relationships with drugs.
Any person can develop a substance abuse or addiction problem from
any psychoactive drug, legal or illegal. Accordingly, our focus is on
prevention and an understanding of substance abuse and addictions, as well
as treatment for persons with such problems.
As nurses, we understand that no drug is completely safe and that
any drug can be abused. Prior to using any medication or drug, the patient
should have an understanding of the expected benefits and associated risks
so that he or she can make a personal, educated, and responsible decision
regarding its use.
As nurses, we also have an ethical obligation to advocate for
optimal health care for all individuals. Medicine which enhances the
quality of life for persons suffering from life and sense-threatening
illnesses should not be prohibited because some persons may develop a
substance abuse and/or addiction problem to that medicine. Cannabis does
have therapeutic value and has a wide margin of safety, and therefore
medical practitioners should have the right to prescribe cannabis to
patients when the potential benefits surpass the health risks.

Support for Therapeutic Cannabis

Thirty-five states, (including Alaska in 1986) have recognized
cannabis's therapeutic potential and have passed legislation supporting its
value. 87% of the legislators in these states supported these measures.
Therapeutic use of cannabis is also supported by many organizations
including the California Medical Association, the California Medical
Research Advisory Commission, the National Lymphoma Foundation, the
National Association of Attorneys General, The Medical Student Association,
National Nurses Society on Addictions, and Physicians for AIDS Care. More
groups would support this if not for the Federal Government's implied
threat to withhold Research funds

Patients Risks Due to the Federal Prohibition

Despite its illegal status, desperate patients and their families
continue to break the law in order to obtain and use this medicine when
conventional therapies are not available, effective or are too toxic. This
has placed patients at risk for obtaining contaminated cannabis and has
placed patients, their families and/or significant others at risk for
criminal charges. Some patients may not disclose their therapeutic
cannabis use to their Doctor or health care provider because of possible
legal consequences and are subsequently not monitored to determine their
benefits and risks.

Alaska and Cannabis

Contrary to popular belief, it is not illegal to grow cannabis for
medicinal, personal / private use in the State of Alaska. According to the
Ravin decision, under the "Rights to Privacy Act," based on the State's
Constitution (Ravin v. State 537 P. 2d 494, 511: Alaska 1975)
possessing cannabis in your home for personal use is not a crime which can
be lawfully prosecuted in the State of Alaska. The 1990 "recrim" law was
deemed "unconstitutional" by Judge Thompson, (State v. Patrick McNeil),
in what has come to be known as "The Ketchikan Decision." (Judge Thompson
concluded that a small group of people cannot vote away the rights of the
majority without changing theConstitution of the State of Alaska, (Article
I, Section 22, Right to Privacy Amendment of 1972) thus rendering the 1990
"recrim law" unconstitutional).

Alaskans for Cannabis Therapeutic Research's Position on Access to
Therapeutic Cannabis:

Alaskans for Cannabis Therapeutic Research supports research regarding the
various cannabinoids and combinations thereof, to determine the greatest
therapeutic poential.

Alaskans for Cannabis Therapeutic Research supports ongoing human reasearch
to determine alternate methods of safe administration to minimize health
risks.

Organizations Supporting Access to Cannabis' Medicinal Therapeutic
Properties, as Compiled by Alaskans for Cannabis Therapeutic Research:

Alaskans for Cannabis Therapeutic Research
Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics
American Academy of Family Physicians -- 1977
American Bar Association (ABA)
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
American Medical Students Association -- 1993
American Public Health Association (APHA) -- 1995
Burlington Board of Health, Burlington, VT --1994
California Medical Association -- 1993
California Nurses Association -- 1995
Colorado Nurses Association -- 1995
Conference of Episcopal Bishops
Cure AIDS Now Foundation
Des Moines Register
Florida Governor's Red Ribbon Panel on AIDS
International Cannabis Alliance of Researchers and Educators (I-Care) --
1992
Iowa Civil Liberties Union
Iowa Democratic Party
Lymphoma Foundation of America
Marin County Council, California -- 1993
Minnesota Democratic Farm-Labor Party
Mississippi Nurses Association -- 1995
Mothers Against Misuse and Abuse (MAMA)
National Association for Attorneys General -- 1983
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
National Association of People with AIDS
National Nurses Society on Addictions (NNSA) -- 1995
New York State Nurses Association -- 1995
Northern England's Psychiatric Society
Oakland, California City Council -- 1995
Oakland Tribune
Patients Out of Time -- 1995
Physicians Association for AIDS Care
Preventive Medical Center, Netherlands -- 1993
San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco City Council, California --1992
Santa Cruz County Council, California -- 1993
Stichting Institute of Medical Marijuana, The Netherlands, -- 1993
USA Today
Virginia Nurses Society on Addictions -- 1993

P.O. Box 20151
Juneau, Alaska 99802
Phone/Fax (907) 586-1698
e-mail garcia@ptialaska.net

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