The Examiner

Wednesday 11 Nov 2009

The American Medical Association recently made an unprecedented call
for America to rethink marijuana prohibition laws, urging a "review"
of the drug's status as a Schedule I drug.

Meeting in Houston, the AMA's House of Delegates approved a new
policy calling for "marijuana's status as a federal Schedule I
controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the
conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based
medicines, and alternate delivery methods."

That does not mean the AMA is supporting full legalization or
decriminalization of cannabis for responsible adults. Such a bold move
that would advocate that cannabis be considered on par with alcohol
and tobacco is likely a long ways off.

Schedule I drugs are considered by the Government to have no medical
use and to be harmful under any circumstances. This means the federal
government puts marijuana, which is much less dangerous than tobacco
or alcohol, in a class with drugs like heroin and LSD.

Meanwhile, drugs like cocaine and methamphetamines are listed as
Schedule II substances, which are approved for certain medical
applications. The AMA's stance may result in the marijuana being
rescheduled as Schedule II substance, which has some medical benefits.
This would likely broaden the number of doctors willing to prescribe
cannabis for their patients.

Aaron Houston, director of government relations for the Marijuana
Policy Project, says that the AMA's action is certainly "historic," as
the organizations traditionally regarded as "America's most cautious
and conservative major medical organization."

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Cannabis-American-Medical-Association-urges-review-of-marijuana-prohibition