title: A peek into Pandora's box: the medical excuse marijuana controversy.
abstract: The smoking of marijuana for medicinal applications is a volatile and difficult issue for the medical and regulatory communities which has reached the forefront of discussions of public policy. Any consideration of this issue must take into account the substantial toxicity, impurity, and morbidity associated with marijuana use. Several states have passed ballot initiatives or legislation that allow a medical excuse for possession of marijuana. These initiatives bypass the Food and Drug Administration process of proving safety and efficacy, and they have created serious regulatory dilemmas for state regulatory boards. Several examinations of the issue have consistently drawn question to the validity of smoking an impure substance while voicing concern for the well being of patients in need. The historical, social, medical, and legal issues are examined.
authors.affiliation: The Institute on Global Drug Policy, St. Petersburg, FL, USA. evoth@stormontvail.org
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Voth
mesh_terms: D002188:Cannabis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug / Q000191:economics; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D009325:Nausea / Q000188:drug therapy; D010166:Palliative Care; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000592:standards*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013219:State Government; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations; D013759:Dronabinol