Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #118272

David L. Bearman, MD, Deputy Director Health Policy and Grants development, Santa Barbara Regional Health Authority, 110 Castillion Drive, Goleta, CA 93117-3028, 805-685-9525, davidb@sbrha.org

Cannabis has over a 3000-year history as a medicinal. It was in the United States Pharmacopoeia from the 1850s until 1941. The AMA testified against the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act, saying they knew of NO problems with the use of cannabis. In the 1970s and 80's eight states did medical research, which found that cannabis was efficacious in treating nausea and stimulating appetite. More recently, studies in the UK, reported in the Lancet, show that the AMA was right: cannabis has medicinal value. The 1999 IOM report also supported that same conclusion.

The medical cannabis (aka marijuana) issue touches a broad spectrum of issues: the Bill of Rights, religious freedom, mental health, proper expenditure of taxpayer dollars, States' Rights, Doctor-Patient Relationship, evidence based medicine, Personal Privacy, Illegal Search & Seizure, Forfeiture, parenting, discrimination , science vs. superstitution, abuse of government authority, and capricious actions of government agencies such as the Medical Board of California (MBC).

This panel will look at some of these issues as it explores the consequences of today's drug laws on today's medicine, law and society. We will address what is quality care, How do you set standards, clinical vs laboratory medical research, law, court decisions, Americans for Safe Access suit against HHS, public opinion, actions of the FDA, Medical Boards and Public Health Departments in addressing these issues. Raised by today's policies towards patients and therapy, particularly with alternative and complementary medicine.

Learning Objectives:

• An understanding of the unintended negative consequences of our current drug policies.
• What has changed since the AMA testified against the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act, saying they knew of NO problems with cannabis.
• The HHS is breaking the law.
• The 1999 IOM report, Canada, Israel and the Netherlands all recognize that cannabis has medicinal value.
• The California Medical Board has not adhered to the law
• A better understanding of who determines quality of care and by what standards
• Generate renewed energy to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered