Why should the state legislature reject legalizing marijuana for medical purposes?

Reason #5 - The reduction of pain and nausea are not sufficient grounds for legalizing marijuana for medical purposes; it’s only the first of a number of concerns to be considered.

A few things to consider:

1. There is no scientific research regarding marijuana and its effectiveness, risks, benefits, dosages, interactions with other drugs, and impact on pre-existing conditions for all the conditions listed in the bill. Studies on marijuana do not exist that show the quantity of dose, frequency of administration, duration of administration, time of administration, (in relation to time of meals, time of onset of symptoms), or other time factors, route or method of administration of marijuana for all the medical conditions in the bill. These studies are a requirement before a drug can be used for medicine.
   
   
2. The FDA has already approved the use of Marinol, a pill which contains THC an active ingredient in marijuana, for nausea and pain relief.  The chemicals in marijuana which address nausea and pain relief are already available to the public.
   
   
3. Regarding pain and nausea there are a whole range of other medications available.  Below is a list of the medications currently available for chemotherapy, and for all those who suffer from glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, and other ailments. A recent study by the Institutes of Health, comparing Metoclopramide with Marijuana for controlling vomiting found Metoclopramide 4 to 7 times better than marijuana.
   
   Serotonin Antagonists, Ondansetron (Zofran), Granisetron (Kytril), Tropisetron (Navoban), Dolasetron, Phenothiazines, Prochlorperazine (Compazine), Chlorpromazine (Thorazine), Thiethylperazine (Torecan), Perphenazine (Trilafon), Promethazine (Phenergan), Corticosteroids, Dexamethasone (Decadron), Methylprednisolone (Medrol), Anticholinergics, Scopolamine (Trans Derm Scop), Butyrophenones, Droperidol (Inapsine), Haloperidol (Haldol), Domperidone (Motilium), Benzodiazepines, Lorazepam (Ativan), Alprazolam (Xanax), Substituted Benzamides, Metoclopramide (Reglan), Trimethobenzamide (Tigan), Alizapride (Plitican), Cisapride (Propulsid),Antihistamines, Diphenhydramine (Benedryl)

Reject legalizing the smoking of marijuana for medical purposes.
  Protect the health of all Minnesotans.

Sources: 2001 WL 30659 (Appellate Brief) Brief of the Institute on Global Drug Policy of the Drug Free America Foundation; National Families in Action; Drug Watch International; Drug-free Kids: America's Challenge, et al., as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioner (Jan. 10, 2001, ), U.S. v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative, 121 S.Ct. 1711 (2001)