Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
You'd normally be hard-pressed to find any doctor who would support patients' use of an illegal drug. But one of the nation's largest physicians groups now not only has come out publicly in support of medicinal marijuana use but also is calling on the federal government to reconsider its restrictive marijuana laws. The American College of Physicians, which boasts nearly 125,000 members, issued a policy statement in February in support of medicinal marijuana use to reverse severe weight loss associated with wasting syndrome and treat nausea associated with medication side effects among HIVers as well as treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy in cancer patients. The organization also urged the Drug Enforcement Administration to ease its restrictions on medicinal marijuana research and to reevaluate the drug's classification as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, which puts it alongside such hard drugs as heroin and LSD. 'Additional research is needed to clarify marijuana's therapeutic properties and determine standard and optimal doses and routes of delivery,' the group said in its statement. 'Unfortunately, research expansion has been hindered by a complicated federal approval process, limited availability of research-grade marijuana, and the debate over legalization.' Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, told Reuters, 'This statement by America's second-largest doctors group demolishes the myth that the medical community doesn't support medical marijuana. The ACP's statement smashes a number of other myths, including the claims that adequate substitutes are available or that marijuana is unsafe for medical use.' The physicians group also advocated for exemptions from criminal prosecution or other negative actions for doctors who prescribe or dispense marijuana for medicinal purposes in accordance with various state laws. And it pushed for protections from criminal penalties for patients who use medicinal marijuana as permitted by their state laws. Currently, 12 states have laws allowing for the use of medicinal marijuana, but the federal government'backed by a unanimous ruling by the Supreme Court in 2001'considers growing, distributing, and using pot to be criminal acts. In a move unusual for a Republican presidential adviser, David Murray, the White House office of National Drug Control Policy's chief scientist, essentially supported the American College of Physicians statement by saying, 'The science should be kept open. There should be more research. We should continue to investigate.'
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Why activist Raif Derrazi thinks his HIV diagnosis is a gift
September 17 2024 12:00 PM
How fitness coach Tyriek Taylor reclaims his power from HIV with self-commitment
September 19 2024 12:00 PM
Exclusive: We kiki with Q from 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
June 24 2024 11:37 AM
Out100 Honoree Tony Valenzuela thanks queer and trans communities for support in his HIV journey
September 18 2024 12:00 PM
The freedom of disclosure: David Anzuelo's journey through HIV, art, and advocacy
August 02 2024 12:21 PM
Creator and host Karl Schmid fights HIV stigma with knowledge
September 12 2024 12:03 PM
Activist and philanthropist Bruce Bastian dies at 76
June 26 2024 1:28 PM
In honor of Juneteenth 2024, meet The Normal Anomaly
June 19 2024 1:39 PM
From ‘The Real World’ to real life: How Danny Roberts thrives with HIV
July 31 2024 5:23 PM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
Ricky Martin delivers showstopping performance for 2024 World AIDS Day
December 05 2024 12:08 PM
AIDS Memorial Quilt displayed at White House for the first time
December 02 2024 1:21 PM
Climate change is disrupting access to HIV treatment
November 25 2024 11:05 AM
California confirms first case of even more deadly mpox strain
November 18 2024 3:02 PM
Post-election blues? Some advice from mental health experts
November 08 2024 12:36 PM
Check out our 2024 year-end issue!
October 28 2024 2:08 PM
Meet ​our Health Hero of the Year, Armonté Butler
October 21 2024 12:53 PM
AIDS/LifeCycle is ending after more than 30 years
October 17 2024 12:40 PM
Twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir, an HIV-prevention drug, reduces risk by 96%
October 15 2024 5:03 PM
Kentucky bans conversion therapy for youth as Gov. Andy Beshear signs 'monumental' order
September 18 2024 11:13 AM
Study finds use of puberty blockers safe and reversible, countering anti-trans accusations
September 11 2024 1:11 PM
Latinx health tips / Consejos de salud para latinos (in English & en espanol)
September 10 2024 4:29 PM
The Trevor Project receives $5M grant to support LGBTQ+ youth mental health in rural Midwest (exclusive)
September 03 2024 9:30 AM
Introducing 'Health PLUS Wellness': The Latinx Issue!
August 30 2024 3:06 PM
La ciencia detrás de U=U ha estado liberando a las personas con VIH durante años
August 23 2024 2:48 PM
Tratamiento y prevención del VIH por inyección: Todo lo que necesita saber
August 23 2024 2:41 PM
Sr. Gay World quiere asegurarse de que estés bien
August 23 2024 2:30 PM
Eureka is taking a break from competing on 'Drag Race' following 'CVTW' elimination
August 20 2024 12:21 PM
With a new case in Sweden, what is the new mpox outbreak and should you be concerned?
August 15 2024 4:48 PM