Ohio Cannabis Nurses Association
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Ohio Cannabis Nurses Association Ohio Cannabis Safety First Medical Cannabis Summary and Recommendations for Ohio AUTHORS – December 05, 2015 Janet Brenemen Dana Kovach Michelle Price Tim Johnson Ohio Patient Compassion Act Background Paper and Recommendations COPY RIGHT DECEMBER 2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, TIM JOHNSON OCSF Introduction Today we have a growing number of medical cannabis laws across the United States. Twenty-three states[1] and the District of Columbia have endorsed laws that allow some patients legal access to medical cannabis. According to reports published by the Americans for Safe Access (ASA), “Most State laws provide patients with protection from arrest and prosecution. Most incorporate a production and distribution program. And most allow patients and their caregivers to cultivate a certain amount of regulated medical cannabis themselves.” States are now recognizing the importance of protecting patients from civil discrimination. It is the responsibility of local governments to meet the medical needs of its people, even when its thought to be politically incorrect. While developing medical cannabis regulations the concerns of neighbors, local businesses, law enforcement and the general public, must be taken into consideration. By working with all interested parties in advance of adopting state medical cannabis programs will ensure a successful program designed to meet the needs of patients and the communities for whom serve them. Legislative proposals must be evaluated for strengths and weaknesses within their political context. What is feasible in one state, may not be possible in another. Even the most mindful and compassionate legislators will make the mistake of passing laws that fail to adequately meet the needs of the patients. In the past legislative and regulatory proposals were developed and implemented with the intent of excluding patients and restricting safe access for the majority of the patients. The ASA reports support for legal access to medical cannabis is currently polling nationally at 85% or more. Within the last year eight states have passed some kind of legislation recognizing acceptable medical use of cannabis. That makes 34 states and the District of Columbia that have passed some kind of legislation. [1] This report was developed to assist Ohio legislators in designing a medical cannabis program that will meet the needs of Ohio residents and those residents who are seeking to use cannabis as a medicinal treatment alternative. Cannabis as a Medicine Background: Between 1840 and 1900, European and American medical journals published more than 100 articles on the therapeutic use of cannabis. In the early 1900s, pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly produced whole plant cannabis extract for sale to patients whose physicians recommended it. Today, new studies are being published in peer-reviewed journals that demonstrate cannabis has medicinal value in treating patients with serious illnesses such as AIDS, glaucoma, cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and chronic pain. The US National Library of Medicine includes more than 6,500 published scientific articles on medical applications for cannabis. The federal government is no longer ignoring the medical efficacy of cannabis, many of the isolated compounds found in the cannabis plant are being re- searched and used medically. For example, Nabilone and Dronabinol, which are isolated cannabis compounds, are currently prescribed and sold for medical use in the United States. [1] COPY RIGHT DECEMBER 2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, TIM JOHNSON OCSF Findings: Numerous controlled clinical studies have confirmed cannabis therapeutic benefit in relieving an array of symptoms for people living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, hepatitis, arthritis and chronic pain, among many other conditions. In addition, in February 2010, the University of California’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) presented a report to the California legislature summarizing the findings of 10 years of research on cannabis and cannabinoids. As a result of their research the CMCR presented evidence that cannabis is a promising treatment in selected pain syndromes caused by injury or diseases of the nervous system and for painful muscle spasticity due to multiple sclerosis. Position: Clinical research affirms that cannabis can safely and effectively alleviate symptoms of serious and chronic medical conditions.1 Reclassifying Medical Cannabis Background: Cannabis was categorized as a Schedule I substance with the passage of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, declaring marijuana (cannabis) to have no medical value and a high potential for abuse. Several attempts have been made to remove cannabis from the Schedule 1 category without success. Some states continue to aggressively enforced federal cannabis laws, even in states that have passed laws to permit the use and distribution of cannabis for medical purposes. As of this report date cannabis remains a Schedule1drug. Findings: The federal status of cannabis as a dangerous drug with no medical value is at the heart of the conflict between federal and state laws. As long as cannabis remains classified as a Schedule 1 substance, medical cannabis patients across the country will lack reasonable, fair and equal protection. The refusal by the federal government to recognize the medical efficacy of cannabis has directly impeded efforts to implement various state medical cannabis laws. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) recently introduced a bill to the U.S. Senate that would end federal prohibition of cannabis. The bill known as the “Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2015”. This legislation would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substance Act, and allow states to decide how to deal with marijuana on their own. Position: Noted Authors strongly support the reclassification of cannabis in order to expand research on this important and promising therapeutic substance and to better establish laws that reasonably, fair- ly and equally protect patients in the US. However, due to the politics involve, Ohio patients can't wait for this to be done the Federal level and strongly recommends that Ohio passes legislation on a state level, and giving patients access to medical cannabis immediately. Medical Cannabis: Background: Research has proven that cannabis could alleviate and potentially cure diseases for millions of patients in the United States. Nevertheless, other than for the four people with special permission from the federal government, medical cannabis remains illegal under federal and state medical cannabis laws that have been passed were adopted with the intention of protecting and providing safe access to a patient population that suffers from a wide array of medical conditions. 1Americans For Safe Access COPY RIGHT DECEMBER 2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, TIM JOHNSON OCSF Findings: The first medical cannabis law passed in California ensured that seriously/terminally ill patients have the right to obtain and use cannabis for medical purposes where that medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician. Subsequent state laws have also incorporated a multitude of medical conditions and have decided not to restrict medical cannabis use only to those patients who are terminally ill. Position: Given that scientific studies have shown cannabis counteracts or mitigates a number of illnesses and side effects from other treatments, patients deserve choices in their health care options and should not be denied access to medical cannabis. [1] Medical Cannabis Research Background: Examples of the medical use of cannabis have existed for thousands of years, not the least of which was the production and distribution of cannabis tinctures by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly at the turn of the twentieth-century. Yet the scientific investigation into this important and promising therapeutic substance is not what it could be. Only in the last few years have we seen the needed increases in medical cannabis research, but such studies have predominantly been outside the US. Studies inside the US have shown that cannabis can be used to effectively treat neuropathic pain for people living with HIV/AIDS and multiple sclerosis, as well as treat seizures, nausea and stimulate appetite, but government officials insist more research is needed. In 2015, research findings focused on the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety proving cannabis to be effective and safe in treating many medical conditions. [1] Findings: Scientists in Israel are uncovering ways of treating Alzheimer’s with cannabis and researchers in Spain are studying the effects of cannabis on brain cancer. Unfortunately, in the US, the complicated approval process hinders scientists’ ability to obtain research grade cannabis for studies and clinical trials. As a result, scientists in the US face federal hurdles that don’t exist in other countries which skews and stifles meaningful research. Schedule 1 drugs such as MDMA (Ecstasy, Molly), have been approved for medical research in the US for potential usefulness in post traumatic stress disorder. MDMA is used recreationaly for many years and is associated with dance parties or raves. Unlike Cannabis, MDMA has been linked to numerous deaths. Cannabis is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known. No one has ever died from an overdose. Position: According to the DEA’s own Administrative Law Judge Mary Ellen Bittner expanded medical cannabis research is “in the public's best interest.”