AMA adopts new position calling for a review of marijuana
The American Medical Association’s House of Delegates adopted a new policy position calling for the review of marijuana’s status as a Schedule I drug in the federal Controlled Substances Act.
The old language in Policy H-95.952 previously recommended that “marijuana be retained in Schedule I,” grouping marijuana with drugs such as heroin, LSD and PCP that are deemed to have no accepted medical uses and to be unsafe for use even under medical supervision.
The newly revised policy advises that the AMA urges that marijuana’s status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed. The goal would be to facilitate the clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines, and other alternative delivery methods.
The AMA goes on to further explain that this position should not be construed as an endorsement of state medical marijuana programs. The AMA is also in no way endorsing the legalization of marijuana, nor are they stating that scientific evidence on the “medical” use of marijuana meets current standards for a prescribed medicinal product.
While further research on cannabis should be done, it should go through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process, as does every other prescribed medication. An FDA approval process would ensure consumers are protected against unscrupulous would-be “dealers”.
