13-Year-Old Dies Month After Transplant

Contact: Alexis Geier‐Horan (301) 656‐3920 x103 ageier@asam.org

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ADDICTION MEDICINE REITERATES

ASAM MARIJUANA POLICY POSITIONS

CHEVY CHASE, MD, October 27, 2011 – Since 1994, the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has held as policy that we oppose any changes in law and regulation that would lead to a sudden significant increase in the availability of any dependence-producing drug (outside of a medically-prescribed setting for therapeutic indications). This policy includes marijuana, a mood-altering drug capable of producing dependence as well as serious negative mental, emotional, behavioral and physical consequences.

ASAM recognizes the therapeutic potential of cannabis and cannabinoids, given the recent discovery of the human endocannabinoid receptor system, and supports increased funding for research on marijuana that explores the mechanisms of its action, its effects on the human body, and the potential for its clinical applications. However, ASAM insists that marijuana, like any other drug, be subject to federal standards for drug approval that establish safety, efficacy and purity and distribution that limits nonmedical uses and diversion.

“ASAM supports continued research on certain cannanbinoids with the goal of identifying specific therapeutic applications in line with the 1999 Institute of Medicine study. Until sufficient research in this area exists, ASAM cannot endorse the legalization of the use of marijuana either as a ‘medicine’ or for any other sanctioned use of this drug,” said Stuart Gitlow, MD, MBA, MPH, FAPA, Acting President of ASAM. “Furthermore, smoking any drug is an unhealthy form of drug delivery.”

Marijuana is the nation’s most commonly used illicit drug. More than 60% of Americans who meet criteria for substance abuse or addiction do so as a result of their marijuana use. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings, NSDUH Series H-41, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 11-4658. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2011.)

To read our Public Policy Statement on National Drug Policy, visit:

http://www.asam.org/NationalDrugPolicy.html.

To read our Public Policy Statement on Marijuana, visit:

http://www.asam.org/1MARIJUANA%205‐062.pdf.

To read our Public Policy Statement on Medical Marijuana visit: http://www.asam.org/MedicalMarijuana.html.

To read our White Paper, The Role of the Physician in “Medical” Marijuana, visit: 1 2

http://www.asam.org/pdf/Advocacy/MedMarijuanaWhitePaper20110314.pdf

The American Society for Addiction Medicine is a professional society representing close to 3,000 physicians dedicated to increasing access and improving quality of addiction treatment, educating physicians and the public, supporting research and prevention, and promoting the appropriate role of physicians in the care of patients with addictions.

American Society of Addiction Medicine

4601 North Parke Avenue, Upper Arcade, Suite 101 Chevy Chase, MD 20815‐4520

Phone (301) 656‐3920 ● Fax 301‐656‐3815 ● Web www.asam.org

###

By SUSANNA KIM

Published October 26, 2011

In its effort to shut down California’s booming medical marijuana dispensaries, the Justice Department is seeking to seize the property where the clinics are based, even going after at least one bank that holds the mortgage on a clinic.

(more…)

By Kevin Sabet

Published October 21, 2011

Last weekend, the Board of Trustees of the California Medical Association (CMA) voted to adopt a white paper calling for marijuana legalization. Though they are still contemplating their decision, the California Society of Addiction Medicine is considering following suit. The CMA reasoned that existing “medical marijuana” laws have thrust physicians in an impossible position — one they never wanted or asked for. They are forced to be the legal gatekeepers, whose “recommendation” allows an individual to use, cultivate or otherwise obtain marijuana for medical purposes. They correctly point out that doctors need to know the composition of a medication and how much of it is in each dose; otherwise, they cannot ethically advise a patient whether (and how) to use it. Marijuana from dispensaries is usually not standardized or quality-controlled, varies widely in potency, and can contain dangerous pesticides and microorganisms. So doctors are in dangerous and unknown territory.

(more…)

/SFGate

By John Redman

Published October 20, 2011

The California Medical Association called for marijuana legalization last weekend. And word is that other groups, such as the California Society of Addiction Medicine, are considering similar measures. The CMA claimed that legalization is an essential first step toward increasing our knowledge of the drug, including our knowledge about any medical uses. They argued that medical marijuana has placed doctors in an impossible position in California, and the only way to get them out of it is to legalize the drug outright. Sadly, though, such a view is shortsighted and poses a major risk to public health.

(more…)

Portland and Jackson County are rarely lumped together when it comes to statistics.

But when it comes to prescription drug abuse, the state’s largest metropolitan area and Southern Oregon’s commercial hub are in lock-step.

Dwight Holton, an assistant U.S. attorney for the Justice Department in Oregon, discussed the disconcerting commonality during Monday’s Chamber Forum at the Rogue Valley Country Club. Holton was the interim U.S. attorney for Oregon until Sept. 26, when Amanda Marshall was confirmed by the U.S. Senate

“Prescription drug abuse is spiraling out of control,” Holton said, noting that more than 1,200 Oregonians have died in the past three years. That’s five times as many as have been murdered.

(more…)