Testing It Up

As more states are zooming in on the benefits of medical marijuana, another new study recommends the use of the controversial therapy drug for diabetics.

 The American Journal of Medicine published a clinical study yesterday on the effect of marijuana on regulating glucose and insulin among adults. Research proponents Elizabeth Penner, Hannah Buettner and Murray Mittleman were able to correlate the impact of marijuana on metabolic processes, specifically on fasting insulin, glucose, and insulin resistance, according to Medical Daily.

Based on the study conducted, it was found that use of medical marijuana was beneficial in decreasing the amount of fasting insulin and the chances of insulin resistance. Current marijuana users were able to receive such benefits, while the effect was weaker on those who were not taking marijuana anymore. Meanwhile, fasting insulin levels were lower by 16 percent in people who have never tried taking marijuana. In addition, people who regularly take marijuana had significantly smaller waistlines.

The study involved pre-selected adults from the database of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2005 and 2010. About 12 percent of the respondents are current marijuana users, while close to half of the whole study group has never used marijuana.

Joseph Alpert, editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Medicine, supported the breakthrough study. He said that the results of the study were remarkable and are backed up by scientific fundamentals. He further recommends that a similar study be conducted for other clinical cases such as cancer and elderly health.

Eleven medical marijuana sellers in Seattle were recently told by the Drug Enforcement Administration to shut down their dispensaries because they are violating federal drug laws. But instead of backing down, one of them has spoken out to say that the federal government’s policy will force him to be a “drug dealer.”

Douglas Gerdes, owner of The Only Natural in Ballard, told King5.com that he is now considering his next move after receiving a letter from the DEA last week telling him that he was violating federal law for selling an illegal narcotic and operating within 1,000 feet of a school.

“I would love for the DEA to come out here and take a look,” Gerdes said, “I’m not doing anything wrong.”

Gerdes’ “collective garden” grows 20 plants and has just 8 ounces of marijuana on sale, which is far below what small pot gardens are allowed. He only sells medical cannabis to a small group of patients.

But even though Gerdes is in compliance with the Washington state law, the DEA strongly believes their action to clamp down on Seattle’s medical marijuana dispensaries was just “part of an ongoing strategy to combat trafficking.” Jodie Underwood, DEA spokesperson, said the letters they sent to Gerdes and other medical marijuana sellers had “nothing to do with Washington state law.”

“Probably, I’ll go underground, break the law and do what it looks like they want me to do,” Gerdes added. “Be a drug dealer.”

Gerdes, who was given 30 days to comply with the DEA’s letter, is now pleading for the state government to defend its own law.

A spokeswoman of Governor Martin O’Malley confirmed Wednesday that Maryland is just a few hours away from joining other U.S. states in legalizing medical marijuana.

Raquel Guillory said O’Malley is scheduled to sign House Bill 1101 at a bill-signing ceremony on May 2. It’s still unclear, though, when the program will take effect.

HB 1101 passed the Senate on April 8 by a vote of 42-4. The bill seeks to establish a 12-member state commission, to be called the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Marijuana Commission, that will oversee the medical marijuana programs at participating academic research centers.

All academic research centers that have been approved by the commission are required to specify the medical conditions it intends to treat and the criteria by which patients are allowed to participate. They must also specify how patients will be assessed for addiction before and during treatment using marijuana through the program. Furthermore, they must specify the length of treatment, the allowable dosage, as well as the source and type of marijuana to be used in the program.

Dan Riffle, the Deputy Director of Government Relations for the Marijuana Policy Project, told WFMD that the legislation is a step closer to “having evidence-based, rational policies with respect to marijuana.”

“This bill is not about leading to legalization of marijuana for any other purposes,” Riffle added. “It’s about providing medical marijuana to patients whose doctors recommend marijuana in a safe medical place to obtain their medication.”

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn) has recently introduced in the U.S. Congress legislation that would establish a federal commission on marijuana.

HR 1635, which calls for the creation of a National Commission on Federal Marijuana Policy Act of 2013, was inspired from the 1971 National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse, also known as the Shafer Commission.

Part of the responsibilities of the National Commission on Federal Marijuana Policy is to take a comprehensive review of how federal policy should interact with state laws that legalize marijuana for medical or personal use. The Commission will also examine the cost of marijuana prohibition and regulation, as well as the potential revenue generated by taxing marijuana sale. Similarly, it will look at the health impacts related to marijuana use and in comparison to alcohol and tobacco use.

“Regardless of your views on marijuana, it’s important that we understand the impact of current federal policy and address the conflict with those state laws that allow for medicinal or personal use of marijuana,” Cohen said.

According to HR 1635, the Commission will be composed of 13 members — five to be appointed by the President, two to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two to be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, two to be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, and another two to be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.

“This conflict is only going to continue to grow over the next few years and we must provide certainty to the millions of individuals and businesses that remain caught in a web of incompatible laws. A national commission would provide us with the information we need to create sensible policy going forward,” Cohen added.

Marijuana legalization has been usually met with enthusiasm in states where it’s being proposed. In Maine, however, not all medical marijuana proponents are so keen about embracing a bill that seeks to remove criminal penalties from selling and using pot.

LD 1229, submitted by Rep. Diane Russell (D-Portland), has certain provisions that worry the medical marijuana community — one of them is allowing people over 21 to grow a maximum of six marijuana plants. According to Paul McCarrier, Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine (MMCM) spokesman, most gardeners sow more than six seeds when growing any other plant, and allowing people to self-grow marijuana may result in many growers breaking the law. He intends to propose allowing six flowering plants and more seedlings, but he is skeptical that the Criminal Justice Committee will support the idea, The Free Press reports.

Under the state’s new marijuana legalization bill, sale of marijuana would be subject to a 5-percent sales tax plus a $50-an-ounce excise tax, but even the excise tax amount poses a concern as being “obscenely high” for consumers. McCarrier reasoned that such an amount could force consumers to purchase off the black market, leading law enforcement to arrest them for tax evasion and unlicensed trafficking.

Later this week, a public hearing will be conducted for LD 1229 and people are encouraged to provide amendment suggestions.

“I think it’s jumping the gun to take a position on this bill before it even gets to the committee for a public hearing. Lots of times the bills get amended,” said Marijuana Policy Project spokesman David Boyer. “Maybe we should be questioning why it’s a bad thing for business to come to Maine.”

A Colorado court ruled on April 25 that employers can still terminate workers who test positive for marijuana use, even though the state has medical and recreational marijuana laws.

In its 2-1 conclusion involving the case of a medical marijuana patient, the Colorado Court of Appeals found  there is no employment protection for people who use medical marijuana in the state as the drug remains illegal under federal laws.

Brandon Coats, a telephone operator for the Colorado-based Dish Network LLC, was paralyzed in a car crash as a teenager. He has been using medical marijuana since 2009 to deal with debilitating muscle spasms. In 2011, he was fired after failing a drug test, though his employer didn’t claim he was ever impaired on the job.

“I’m not going to get better anytime soon,” Coats told the Associated Press. “I need the marijuana, and I don’t want to go the rest of my life without holding a job.”

According to the court, an activity is deemed legal in Colorado if it is “permitted by, and not contrary to, both state and federal law.”

Dish Network did not issue any comment on the ruling, but Coats’ lawyer, Michael Evans, said in a statement that it “has wide implications for Colorado marijuana laws.”

“This case not only impacts Mr. Coats, but also some 127,816 medical marijuana patient-employees in Colorado who could be summarily terminated even if they are in legal compliance with Colorado state law,” said Evans, who plans to  ask Colorado’s Supreme Court to review the case.

Meanwhile, the Marijuana Policy Project, has been disappointed with the outcome of Coats’ case.

Morgan Fox, spokesman for MPP in Washington, called the ruling a setback, saying it appears to be limited to state law and did not consider the provisions under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

The District’s first medical marijuana dispensary is ready to accommodate patients with chronic diseases sometime in May.

Capital City Care, located along N. Capitol Street NW, will only sell marijuana to patients with cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDs, and those undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatments. In addition to filling prescription, it will offer marijuana-laced cookies, brownies, candy, drinks, and accessories such as pipes, vaporizers, and rolling papers.

David Guard, Capital City Care co-owner, told DCIST that a lot of patients have already expressed their interest in registering with the dispensary. The clinic is expecting to attract hundreds, even thousands, of qualifying patients. He is also hoping that the list of qualifying conditions will expand over time to help those suffering from debilitating diseases get some sort of relief.

Capital City Care is one of the three medical marijuana dispensaries set to open across D.C. The two other facilities, which are still waiting for their licenses, are Takoma Wellness Center and Metropolitan Wellness Center in Eartern Market.

Officials from the Department of Health estimate just 110 of the city’s 9,500 licensed physicians are interested in prescribing medical marijuana. But Guard is confident the medical marijuana business will gain ground pretty quickly. “Patients are already making appointments with their doctors,” he noted. “This is going to be patient-driven.”

Illinois has moved a step closer to becoming the 19th state to legalize medical marijuana after House Bill 0001 cleared the House on April 17.

Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), sponsor of HB 1, said the legislation is “the most regulated medical marijuana law in the country.”

“It will be a model for other states,” Lang told The Daily Northwestern. “I’m unreasonably confident this will be signed into law.”

The bill passed the House in a 61-57 vote. It calls for the legalization of medical marijuana for people with serious illness, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS.

On Thursday, the Senate did its first reading of the medical marijuana bill. If it passes and becomes law, qualifying patients are allowed to apply for a permit to receive up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana from one of the 60 state-regulated dispensaries.

“This bill was never about drugs,” Lang added. “It’s about giving people a better quality of life.”

Lang also explained the legislation allows one marijuana grower for each state police district. Additionally, it permits business owners and landlords to decide where smoking medical marijuana is permitted on their premises.

Dan Linn, executive director of the Illinois chapter of  National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said the bill has a higher chance of getting approved in the Senate, which has fewer representatives than the House.

A Republican Senator introduced a bill that would include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the list of qualifying conditions in Oregon’s medical marijuana program.

Senator Brian Boquist sponsored Senate Bill 281 which aims to add PTSD to the definition of “debilitating medical condition,” and therefore would allow PTSD patients legal access to medical cannabis with a doctor’s prescription.

Currently, the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act authorizes cannabis treatment for patients with cancer, glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, and HIV.

On April 11, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved SB 281 by a vote of 3-2. Voting against Boquist’s proposal were Republican Senators Jeff Kruse and Betsy Close.

SB 281 was introduced at the request of Boquist’s constituent, Todd Dalotto, who is a member of the Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana. The bill is now heading to the floor of the Senate for consideration. If everything goes well and the bill eventually becomes a law, it is presumed that military veterans who are suffering from PTSD will be among the firsts to benefit from the initiative.

Boquist’s bill also proposed other amendments, such as changing the renewal period of medical marijuana patients’ registry identification card to 60 days instead of annually. But Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, thinks the amendments are not “necessary or appropriate” and could “do more harm than good,” and he is in favor of endorsing the bill without the proposed changes, The Daily Chronic reports.

Some officials in law enforcement couldn’t help but raise their concern over the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s proposed marijuana limit of 10 ounces for a 60-day supply.

Westborough Police Chief Alan Gordon told NECN that a 10-ounce  bag of cannabis prescribed to a qualifying patient could make up to 300 to 500 joints. With that amount, some may end up in the hands of teenagers and may increase incidents of driving under the influence.

“They find ways to get it now,” Gordon said, referring to teenagers looking for ways to access marijuana. “The more you put out there the easier it is going to be for them to get a hold of it.”

Gordon said he understands that some ailing patients need marijuana, but the 10-ounce limit proposed may be too high and some patients may end up selling what they don’t need, giving teenagers more opportunities to get a hold of the drug.

But marijuana advocates only criticized such perception, saying there are many ways of using marijuana and different ways require different amounts.

“A lot of people grind up rather large amounts of marijuana and put it in food they really could use it at that rate,” Andy Gaus of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition said of the 10 ounce rule. “My feeling is if you think it’s a calamity if some people get a hold of some marijuana and get high, you’re a fool.”

The Department of Public Health is currently in the process of holding hearings about how to regulate the state’s medical marijuana policy and what amount would be feasible. The rules are expected to be finalized sometime in May.