Posted by Route66Kid on July 07, 1998 at 01:31:13:
In Reply to: Who should practice medicine: doctors or politicians? posted by Chris on July 06, 1998 at 23:32:46:
: But since you've focused on the medical use of marijuana, let's discuss that for a moment. There is one big point you have ignored: doctors with medical degrees should decide what drug is most appropriate for the patient, not politicians.
Chris, how did polititians get dragged into this?
: If all doctors agree with your facts, then legalizing marijuana for medical use will result in zero prescriptions, right? So concern for the patient should not even be an issue in decriminalizing the drug, and your point is moot.
Since all the physicians in my hospital I have discussed this issue with DO in fact agree with my facts, you are correct. Marinol is not even on formulary in my hospital so you are again correct, it is a moot point for the purposes of this discussion.
: The opinion of the American Medical Association happens to be, if I'm not mistaken, in favor of legalizing medical marijuana (to protect their freedom to practice medicine, if for no other reason).
Chris, the issue may have some sympathizers in the AMA, however, its governing body is adamant that any proposal for the use of medical marijuana will be adjudicated on its scientific merit and not its ideology.
: Are you a doctor?
No, I am a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. I work in the trenches of hands on anesthetic management of patients daily. This includes taking measures to preempt or treat postoperative nausea and vomiting so the issue being discussed here is not too far from home for me. The legislature of my home state recently pass an advanced nurse practitioner prescriptive authority act which is of course something pertinent to my practice.
: Then butt out of the practice of medicine, if you don't mind :)
Chris, I practice within the scope of my training and the need for my services is too great at this time for me to "butt out".;-)
: I'm sure the doctors are well aware of the risks and benefits of the drugs they prescribe.
Given some things I've seen in my practice I wonder sometimes. You're making a dangerous assumption with a blanket statement like that.
: And what are the twelve known carcinogens, BTW?
Chris, I've been around the fence with some other folks on the 'net about this issue awhile back and I've since deleted the file that named the 12 carcinogens and 200+ of the 400 odd chemicals known to be contained in marijuana. I did pull up a site that named 5 of them. they are:
vinyl choloride
methylethylnitrosamine
dimethylnitrosanline
benzanthracene
and the big one: benzopyrene
Go check out the comparative analysis at the link below.
Regards,
Route66Kid