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Marijuana. STEVEN KIPNIS, MD, FACP, FASAMMEDICAL DIRECTOROASASROBERT KILLAR, CASACDIRECTOR COUNSELOR ASSISTANCE PROGRAMOASASKAITLYN PICKFORD, MAFELLOW
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1. Marijuana ADDICTION MEDICINE EDUCATIONAL SERIES WORKBOOK
2. Marijuana
STEVEN KIPNIS, MD, FACP, FASAM
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
OASAS
ROBERT KILLAR, CASAC
DIRECTOR
COUNSELOR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
OASAS
KAITLYN PICKFORD, MA
FELLOW – CENTER FOR WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS OFFICE
OASAS
3. FLOWERING PLANTS There are 250,000 – 350,000 species of flowering plants
We have tested most of them
Medicinal value
Poisons
Psychoactive
Religious ceremonies
Magic
Initiation into puberty
Escape reality
Fashionable
Social pleasure
4. FLOWERING PLANTS Psychoactive substances are found in various parts of the plant
Resin
Fleshy fruit
Stems
Leaves
Seeds
Roots
5. FLOWERING PLANTS Psychoactive substances can be introduced into the body by
Eating
Drinking (teas)
Smoking
Inhalation
Ointments
Enemas
6. FLOWERING PLANTS Psychoactive substances are usually members of the chemical class
Alkaloids
Contain nitrogen
Many are toxic
Some are teratogenic (can interfere with normal embryonic development)
Indole rings
8 carbon atoms and 1 nitrogen
Same structure is seen in serotonin
This group may interfere with serotonin in the brain
7. CANNABIS FAMILY Cannabaceae contains two genera
Cannabis
Humulus (hop plant)
Resin used as a preservative and as a natural flavor in beer
8. CANNABIS Known as cannabis, hashish, hemp and marijuana
Source of:
Strong fiber for rope and paper
Nutritious fruit
Industrial oil
Medicine
Cannabis Sativa is a fiber plant
Cannabis Indica is a resin plant
9. CANNABIS Male and female plants
Female plants are better resin producers
If female plant is not allowed to be fertilized, it flowers but does not produce seeds – sinsemilla (spanish for “without seeds”)
Greatest resin producers
10. CANNABIS Resin contains
Hallucinogenic compounds called cannabinoids
Delta-1 Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as
Delta-1-THC
THC
Major active compound in the cannabis plant
11. CANNABIS How is it used?
Leaves and flowering tips are dried
Smoked
Consumed as tea
Mixed into food
Resin from flowering heads
Smoked
Mixed with tobacco
Alcohol extract (cannabis oil) is mixed with tobacco and smoked
12. CANNABIS HISTORY 4,000 BC - used as a medicine
Rheumatism – loss of yin (female energy)
2,700 BC - Chinese emperor said “liberator of sin - good for female weakness, gout, rheumatism, malaria, beri beri, constipation and absent-mindedness”
13. CANNABIS HISTORY 1,400 BC - in India used to treat anxiety
Bhang (drink from leaves)
Ganja (dried resin)
1,200 BC - found in a Chinese burial site, also used for bow strings and paper (mixed with mulberry bark)
14. CANNABIS HISTORY First century AD
Chinese use it to treat constipation, malaria and absent-mindedness
Greeks use it to treat earaches and as a pleasurable dessert made from the seeds
Indian physicians used it for treatment of fever, insomnia, appetite stimulation, headaches and sexually transmitted diseases
15. CANNABIS HISTORY 200 A.D. Chinese use it as anesthesia for operations
13th century, Marco Polo learned of a band of thugs in Iran whose leader controlled his followers using hashish. These murderers were called hashishins which was modified to assassins later on.
16. CANNABIS HISTORY Folk medicine in Europe
Germany - to treat seizures, aid in childbirth
Poland - for toothache (seeds put on hot stones and vapors inhaled)
Czechoslovakia - to treat fever
Russia - to treat jaundice
Serbia - as an aphrodisiac
17. CANNABIS HISTORY Pilgrims grew it for fiber: ropes and clothing
1843 U.S. Medical text, treatment for
Gout
Tetanus
Hysteria
Depression
Insanity
Dysentery
18. CANNABIS HISTORY Sumo wrestler with hemp belt which is part of the ritual to cleanse the ring prior to a match
19. CANNABIS HISTORY 1850 listed in US pharmacopoeia
Abolished use in 1937 Marijuana Tax Act
1951 Bogg’s Act
Increased penalties for marijuana use because it was thought to lead to heroin addiction
1956 Narcotics Act
Imposed mandatory prison sentences for cannabis possession
1965 THC first isolated
20. CANNABIS HISTORY 2003 - 75 million people in the US have tried marijuana at least once (34% of population)
DAWN* data of emergency room visits show marijuana is number 1, alcohol number 2 and cocaine number 3
New hydroponically grown marijuana with increased THC levels
Age of onset of use declining from 16 year old to 13.6 year olds
Brain is still not completely developed
21. ER VISITS VS. POTENCYCAUSE AND EFFECT?
22. CANNABINOIDS 60 cannabinoids have been isolated from the hemp plant and there are naturally occurring cannabinoids in most species called endocannabinoids, in a similar fashion as endorphins (opiates) have been found.
23. CANNABINOIDS There are two main receptors for cannabinoids in humans
CB1(in brain) if stimulated produces
Euphoria
Impaired short term memory and sense of time
CB2 (in spleen, peripheral sites) if stimulated produces
Immunosuppressant activity
Not psychoactive
24. CANNABINOIDS Receptors have also been found in the
Cerebellum – body movement and coordination
Cortex – higher cognitive functions
Nucleus accumbens – reward
Basal ganglia – movement control
Hypothalamus – body temperature, salt and water balance, reproductive functions
Amygdala – emotional responses, fear
25. CANNABINOIDS Receptors have been found in the hippocampus - an area that controls food intake
Works through leptin system – a peptide that controls satiety
A defect in the leptin or endocannabinoid system may lead to obesity
26. SPECT SCANHEATHLY SURFACE VIEWS
27. SPECT SCANTHC Abuse
28. CANNABINOIDS
Cannabis use in the adolescent is highly correlated with subsequent alcohol use.
29. PREPARATION OF CANNABIS Marijuana
Not a single drug but a complex mixture of over 400 chemicals
Dried flowering tops and leaves of the plant
THC concentration 0.5% - 5% in the past, now up to 20 – 25%
30. PREPARATION OF CANNABIS Hashish – dried cannabis resin and flowers
THC concentration, 2 - 8% or higher
31. PREPARATION OF CANNABIS Hash oil – extraction of THC from hashish with an organic solvent
THC concentration 15 - 50%
32. CANNABIS Routes of marijuana administration
Joints
Average is 500 mg of marijuana
inside of rolling papers
20% - 50% of the THC makes it into the bloodstream
Blunts (marijuana in hollowed out cigar)
6 times the amount of marijuana
20% of the THC makes it into the bloodstream
33. CANNABIS Routes of marijuana administration
Pipes
Stone, ceramic or glass
50% of the THC makes it into the bloodstream
Water pipes
Bongs – most efficient
90% of the THC makes it into the bloodstream
34. PREPARATION OF CANNABIS “Fry” / “fry sticks” / “wets” / “wac”
Marijuana soaked in embalming fluid or formaldehyde
In NYC, it has been reported that marijuana has been cooked in butter and spread on toast
35. CANNABIS KINETICS THC
Noncrystalline
Waxy liquid at room temperature
(-) Trans-isomer is 6 to 100 times more potent than (+) trans-isomer
Psychoactive effect when bound to CB1 receptor
36. CANNABIS KINETICS THC mechanism of action
Peripheral and central effect
Low dose
Mixture of depression and stimulation
High dose
CNS depression
37. CANNABIS KINETICS Typical joint
0.5 - 1 gram cannabis
THC concentration 5 - 150mg
20 to 70% of THC is delivered in the smoke
2 - 3 mg THC can produce a brief high
Lipid soluble so deposited into fat tissue
38. CANNABIS KINETICS 80 probable biologically inactive metabolites of THC
11-hydroxy - THC is the primary active metabolite
THC is eliminated in the feces and 33% in the urine
39. CANNABIS KINETICS Oral use
Psychoactive effects slowed to about one hour
Absorption is erratic
High is less intense, but lasts longer than if smoked
IV use
Water insoluble so cannot be injected
40. CANNABIS KINETICS SMOKING three cannabis joints will cause you to inhale the same amount of toxic chemicals as a whole packet of cigarettes.
The French Consumer Institute tested regular Marlboro cigarettes alongside 280 specially rolled joints of cannabis leaves and resin in an artificial smoking machine.
The tests examined the content of the smoke for tar and carbon monoxide, as well as for the toxic chemicals nicotine, benzene and toluene.
Cannabis smoke contains seven times more tar and carbon monoxide.
Someone smoking a joint of cannabis resin rolled with tobacco will inhale twice the amount of benzene and three times as much toluene as if they were smoking a regular cigarette, the study said.
41. CANNABINOIDS Desired effects of the user
Sense of well being
Relaxation
Euphoria
Modified level of consciousness
Altered perceptions
Intensified sensory experiences
Altered time sense
Sexual disinhibition
42. PHARMACOLOGIC ACTIONS Psychomotor effects
Behavioral effects
Cognitive effects
43. PHARMACOLOGIC ACTIONS Psychomotor effects
Object distance distortion
Object outlines distorted
Inability to make rapid judgment
Slowed reaction time
Impaired tracking behavior
Slowed time perception
All are dose-related
44. The authors hypothesized that supplementary motor cortex (SMA) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) activation in chronic cannabis users, studied 4 to 36 hours after their last episode of use, would disappear by Day 28 of abstinence during finger-tapping tests.
The results suggest that residual diminished brain activation is still observed 28 days after discontinuing cannabis use in motor cortical circuits.
Source: Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology Volume 16, Issue, Feb. 2008, Pages 22-32.
45. PHARMACOLOGIC ACTIONS Behavioral effects
“Amotivational Syndrome”
Little scientific evidence for the existence of this
Tolerance to marijuana was supposed to be a manifestation of desensitization of brain cells, and in addition to contributing to the supposed dependence liability this desensitization of brain cells was supposed to create an amotivational syndrome characterized by apathy and inactivity.
The hypothesis was that this desensitization would impede normal brain operations and render individuals somewhat sluggish and unmotivated. The hypothesis has been challenged on both behavioral and pharmacological grounds.
46. Increased focus on taste
Increased appetite (street slang - ”munchies”)
Dry mouth PHARMACOLOGIC ACTIONS
47. PHARMACOLOGIC ACTIONS Cognitive effects may be due to a reduction in blood flow to the brain - seen even 30 days after last use in heavy smokers. (A study in February 2005 found increase blood flow – indicative of narrowed arteries; much like those seen in hypertension.)
Impaired short-term memory
Especially verbal IQ
Impaired attention
Impaired integration of complex information
Chronic marijuana user – “College was the best 6 years of my life.”
48. PHARMACOLOGIC ACTIONS Psychomotor effects
Behavioral effects
Cognitive effects
Evidence of brain damage is equivocal in the chronic user
49. PHARMACOLOGIC ACTIONS British Medical Journal 2006
2.9% prevalence of cannabis in the driving population
2.5% of fatal crashes
2.7% prevalence of alcohol in a similar population
28.6% of fatal crashes
50. TEEN USE University of Maryland’s center for substance abuse research published in Sept 2004
Warning signs of teen use ( 34,000 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th graders)
Use of cigarettes and alcohol before age 15
Arrests for alcohol and other drugs
20 or more unexcused absences from school
Attitude that smoking cigarettes and marijuana is safe
51. Research has shown that some babies born to women who abused marijuana during their pregnancies display altered responses to visual stimuli, increased tremulousness, and a high-pitched cry, which may indicate neurological problems in development.
During the preschool years, marijuana-exposed children have been observed to perform tasks involving sustained attention and memory more poorly than nonexposed children do. In the school years, these children are more likely to exhibit deficits in problem-solving skills, memory, and the ability to remain attentive.
Fried PA, Makin JE. Neonatal behavioral correlates of prenatal exposure to marihuana, cigarettes and alcohol in a low risk population. Neurotoxicology and Teratology 9(1):1–7, 1987.
Lester BM, Dreher M. Effects of marijuana use during pregnancy on newborn crying. Child Development 60(23/24):764–771, 1989.
Fried PA. The Ottawa prenatal prospective study (OPPS): Methodological issues and findings. It’s easy to throw the baby out with the bath water. Life Sciences 56(23–24):2159–2168, 1995.
Fried PA, Smith AM. A literature review of the consequences of prenatal marihuana exposure: An emerging theme of a deficiency in aspects of executive function. Neurotoxicology and Teratology 23(1):1–11, 2001.
Effects of Exposure During Pregnancy
52. ADDICTION LIABILITY 9% of those who ever used become dependent
Dependence associated with gradual increase in use
No scientific evidence that it is a “gateway” drug
Study by Royal Children’s Hospital Center in August 2004 showed that teenagers who smoked cannabis daily for at least a month are 4 times more likely to become addicted to nicotine by the time they reach their 20’s.
Reverse directionality: cannabis ? tobacco ? alcohol ? drugs and not tobacco ? alcohol ? cannabis ? drugs
53. ADDICTION LIABILITY Withdrawal difficult to demonstrate
10 hour onset and 5 day duration
Anxiety
Mental clouding
Insomnia
Anorexia
Irritability
Tremor
Depression
Headache
Craving
Very similar to nicotine withdrawal, except there is weight loss in marijuana and weight gain in nicotine withdrawal
54. ADDICTION LIABILITY Withdrawal may be due to the release of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) in the amygdala
Similar release in opiate, alcohol and cocaine withdrawal
71% of marijuana users relapse to marijuana use within 6 months after achieving initial 2 weeks of abstinence
55. Cannabis Use and Later Life Outcomes Research to examine the associations between the extent of cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood and later education, economic, employment, relationship satisfaction and life satisfaction outcomes.
A longitudinal study of a New Zealand birth cohort studied to age 25 years.
Measures of: cannabis use at ages 14-25; university degree attainment to age 25; income at age 25; welfare dependence during the period 21-25 years; unemployment 21-25 years; relationship quality; life satisfaction. Also, measures of childhood socio-economic disadvantage, family adversity, childhood and early adolescent behavioral adjustment and cognitive ability and adolescent and young adult mental health and substance use.
56. Cannabis Use and Later Life Outcomes There were statistically significant bivariate associations between increasing levels of cannabis use at ages 14-21 and: lower levels of degree attainment by age 25 (P?<?0.0001); lower income at age 25 (P?<?0.01); higher levels of welfare dependence (P?<?0.0001); higher unemployment (P?<?0.0001); lower levels of relationship satisfaction (P?<?0.001); and lower levels of life satisfaction (P?<?0.0001). These associations were adjusted for a range of potentially confounding factors including: family socio-economic background; family functioning; exposure to child abuse; childhood and adolescent adjustment; early adolescent academic achievement; and comorbid mental disorders and substance use. After adjustment, the associations between increasing cannabis use and all outcome measures remained statistically significant (P?<?0.05).
57. Cannabis Use and Later Life Outcomes The results of the present study suggest that increasing cannabis use in late adolescence and early adulthood is associated with a range of adverse outcomes in later life. High levels of cannabis use are related to poorer educational outcomes, lower income, greater welfare dependence and unemployment and lower relationship and life satisfaction. The findings add to a growing body of knowledge regarding the adverse consequences of heavy cannabis use.
Source: Fergusson, David M.; Boden, Joseph M.; Addiction Volume 103, Number 6, June 2008 , pp. 969-976(8).
58. TOXICITY AND ADVERSE EFFECTS Mental health issues have been seen to co-occur in users.
Transient panic and anxiety
Depersonalization
Bizarre behavior
Delusions
Hallucinations
Acute mania
Acute paranoia
Depression (possibly)
Psychosis (possibly)
Aggression
59. TOXICITY AND ADVERSE EFFECTS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
Depression?
Mixed evidence from a variety of research studies
Degenhardt et al in a longitudinal study concluded that regular cannabis use and depression co-occur more often than would be expected by chance.
Psychosis?
Inconclusive research
Arseneault et al concluded that heavy cannabis use (regular and long-term) contributes as one of many factors, forming a “causal constellation” of factors including psychological vulnerability and genetics.
60. TOXICITY AND ADVERSE EFFECTS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
Psychosis?
2005 research in Biological Psychiatry described a common gene (comt) that makes cannabis five times more likely to trigger schizophrenia.
Comt plays a part in the production of dopamine
25% of the population have this gene
15% of this group are likely to develop psychotic conditions if exposed to cannabis early in life
The self medication hypothesis has been discounted
Aggression
Using is associated with decrease aggression unless taken in periods of high stress
61. TOXICITY AND ADVERSE EFFECTS IMMUNE SYSTEM
CB2 receptors on immune system cells = immune modulation
Decrease macrophage function
Decrease killer cell function
Increase in HIV - 1 host infections
Randomized, placebo controlled study in Annals 2003 – no increase in HIV RNA or protease inhibitor levels in 21 day trial of oral and smoked cannabinoids
62. TOXICITY AND ADVERSE EFFECTS CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Increase heart rate
Marijuana alone 29-36 beat/min increase
Marijuana & cocaine 49 beat/min increase
Decrease blood pressure
Increase myocardial infarction risk
PULMONARY
Tracheitis (inflammation of the trachea)
3 cannabis cigarettes = 20 tobacco cigarettes with significantly more carcinogens
63. TOXICITY AND ADVERSE EFFECTS REPRODUCTIVE / ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Alters pituitary hormones
Decreases prolactin (a pituitary hormone that stimulates lactation after childbirth)
Decreases growth hormone
Decreases luteinizing hormone
Galacctorhea (the production of breast milk in men - or in women who are not breastfeeding)
Decrease testosterone in males
Decrease sperm production
Decrease sperm motility
64. TOXICITY AND ADVERSE EFFECTS MISCELLANEOUS
Questionable effect on fetus –probably due to polypharmacy (use of multiple medications)
Decrease effectiveness of SSRI anti-depressants
Increase drowsiness if used with tricyclic antidepressants
Heavy sedation if used with benzodiazepines
Alcohol toxicity causes vomiting due to an increase in acetaldehyde. Marijuana anti-emetic effect can suppress the chemo-trigger point and lead to severe alcohol toxicity
Multiple cavities in youth?
Dry mouth and eating sweets?
Lethal doses of marijuana are not known
65. MEDICAL USES Difficult to determine doses if smoked
Significant adverse effects associated with any smoked medication, especially if to be used in a hospital setting
66. MEDICAL USES Relieve nausea
Most trials used dronabinol and not smoked marijuana; however, in trials that compared the two, dronabinol was more effective.
67. MEDICAL USES The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green light to Valeant Pharmaceuticals International to bring the synthetic cannabinoid drug nabilone (Cesamet) back to market after 17 years. Nabilone is also sold in Canada.
The drug, similar to the THC medication, Marinol, was originally marketed by Eli Lilly and Co. but withdrawn from the market in 1989. It is now approved by the FDA for treatment of vomiting and nausea caused by chemotherapy and is listed as a Schedule II controlled substance.
68. MEDICAL USES Increase appetite
Dronabinol does appear to work
No controlled studies in smoked marijuana
Smoked and oral form increased weight (fat not lean body mass)
Annals 2003;139:258-266
Decrease muscle spasm
Suggested for multiple sclerosis
Anecdotal information
Decrease intraocular (eye) pressure
Better preparations available for the control of intraocular pressure as seen in glaucoma
69. MEDICAL USES Decrease chronic pain
Anecdotal
NIDA study at University of Arizona (Dr.Malan)
Compound am1241
Acts on CB2 receptors
Pain relief without the central nervous system side effects such as sleepiness and anxiety
Study done on neuropathic pain
70. MEDICAL USES Anticonvulsant
First used in the 1940’s for the treatment of seizures
Better therapeutic agents today
University of Saskatchewan (8/2004) showed one dose of THC in rats could decrease grand mal seizures, but multiple doses lead to an increase in convulsions.
71. MEDICAL USES 2004 - Israeli soldiers suffering from combat stress were treated with cannabis to relieve their symptoms
PTSD trials are ongoing
August 2004 issue of Cancer Research article by Guzman
THC may inhibit genes that make protein, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
This protein stimulates the growth of blood vessels in tumors
72. MEDICAL USES Sativex
Whole plant medicinal cannabis extract
Produced by Bayer and GW pharmaceuticals and approved for use in Canada for multiple sclerosis and neuropathic pain (2005)
Contains THC and nabidiolex, not delta - THC
Phase 3 trials in multiple sclerosis patients showed that sublingual spray was safe and effective for symptom relief
73. MEDICAL USES Journal of Psychopharmocology 6/05
Marijuana may have a benefit in treating bipolar disorder
Cannabidiol (a cannabinoid found in cannabis) has a calming effect
THC prevented severe highs and lows
74. MEDICAL USES The main active ingredient in marijuana is more effective at blocking an enzyme that causes the brain damage common to Alzheimer's disease than approved drugs already on the market, according to researchers from the Scripps Research Institute.
low doses of THC inhibits an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, needed for learning and memory.
The drug also appears to prevent the formation of fibrils, which damage healthy brain tissue.
Reference:Eubanks, L.M., et al. (2006) A Molecular Link between the Active Component of Marijuana and Alzheimer's Disease Pathology. Molecular Pharmaceutics
75. MEDICAL USES Bowel study backs cannabis drugs – Gastroenterology 2005
People with inflammatory bowel disease had an abundant number of a type of cannabinoid receptors in their body.
They believe this is part of the body's attempt to dampen down the inflammation and that giving a drug that binds to these receptors could boost this.
When people have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis - collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease or IBD - their immune system goes into overdrive, producing inflammation in different areas of the digestive tract.
Both the patients and the healthy people had similar numbers of CB1 receptors in their gut. However, the IBD patients had far greater numbers of CB2 receptors.
The normal job of CB1 and CB2 receptors is to switch immune responses on or off. CB1 receptors also help to promote wound healing in the lining of the gut.
Potential therapy - very selective cannabis-derived treatments may be useful as future therapeutic strategies in the treatment of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.
More trials are needed
76. MEDICAL USES Overall problems of use
Mode of administration
No smoking in hospitals
No standard dose of smoked marijuana
Smoke is hazardous in and of itself
Smoking may impair immune system response
Difficulty concentrating on complex tasks
Slowed reaction times
Tolerance develops quickly
Effect is 4 - 6 hrs
77. MEDICAL USES Overall problems of use
Chronic bronchitis can develop
Pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx) can develop
Large airway obstruction can be seen
Acute panic reactions can develop
Acute paranoia can develop
Heart rate increases 20 - 100% for 2 - 3 hrs
Decreased blood pressure seen with use
78. MARIJUANA AND THE LAW MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR PATIENTS WITH A DEBILITATING CONDITION
OTHER RELATED LAWS
US SUPREME COURT CASES
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
NEW YORK
79. MARIJUANA AND THE LAW Favorable medical marijuana laws were enacted in 35 states since 1978 however laws are ineffective due to federal governments overarching prohibition
5 states have since let their laws expire or they have been repealed
80. MARIJUANA AND THE LAW Federal trafficking penalties for 1st offense
1000 kg or > = not less than 10 yrs
100 to 999 kg = not less than 5 yrs or > 40 yrs
50 to 100kg or 10kg hash = not > 20 yrs
<50kg = not > 5 yrs
81. MARIJUANA AND THE LAW
83. CALIFORNIACompassionate Use Act 1st state to pass such legislation
Limits possession to 8 ounces of usable marijuana and 6 mature plants or 12 immature plants
Voluntary registry system – as of January 08, 36 counties participated in the registry system and 18,847 cards were issued
84. WASHINGTONState Ballot Initiative 692 Washington State Medical Quality Assurance Board determines the list of qualifying debilitating conditions
No official registry for patients
State license and signed notice of a physician must be produced upon the request of an officer of law
85. OREGON THE OREGON MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT Must possess an identification card to circumvent criminal penalties
Possession limited to 6 mature plans and up to 24 ounces of usable marijuana
Must have been diagnosed with debilitating condition at least 12 months prior to arrest to use medical necessity defense
Program overseen by The Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana in the Department of Human Services
86. ALASKA MEDICAL MARIJUANA INITIATIVE Possession limited to 1 ounce of usable marijuana and 6 plants
Mandatory state registry for all patients
Identification cards must be renewed annually
87. MAINE CITIZEN INITIATIVE QUESTION 2 No patient registry established by law
Possession limited to 2 ˝ ounces of usable marijuana
88. HAWAIISENATE BILL 862 “The benefits of medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the health risks…”
Patient must have a valid identification card to possess marijuana
Possession is limited to 1 ounce of usable marijuana and 7 plants, 3 of which can be mature
89. COLORADO GENERAL ELECTION AMENDMENT 20 Medical Marijuana Registry was implemented by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
If patients do not register with the state, they may argue an affirmative defense of medical necessity if convicted of possession.
90. NEVADA REFERENDUM QUESTION 9 Voluntary state registry identification card program
Possession limited to 1 ounce of usable marijuana and 7 plants, 3 of which can be mature.
91. VERMONT SENATE BILL 76 Mandatory state registry program - $50.00 fee
Possession limited to 2 ounces of usable marijuana and 9 plants, 2 of which can be mature
The Medical Marijuana Review Board reviews all denial appeals
Physicians from neighboring states are permitted to recommend medical marijuana to Vermont residents
92. MONTANAINITIATIVE 148 Mandatory registry identification system
Limits possession to 1 ounce of usable marijuana and 6 plants
93. RHODE ISLAND THE EDWARD O. HAWKINS AND THOMAS C. SLATER MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT Possession limited to 2 ˝ ounces of usable marijuana and 12 plants
Senate Bill S.791aa/House Bill H.6005aa repealed the 1 year sunset clause, making the Medical Marijuana Act permanent.
94. NEW MEXICO THE LYNN AND ERIN COMPASSIONATE USE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT The legislation creates the Medical Marijuana Board
Made up of 7 appointed members
Purpose is to evaluate applications and make recommendations regarding the identification card system as well as the qualifications for medical marijuana use
95. ARIZONA and MARYLAND ARIZONA AND MARYLAND HAVE CREATED LAWS THAT DO NOT OUTRIGHT PERMIT THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA
96. ARIZONA BALLOT PROPOSITION 200 This legislation legalizes the use of medical marijuana when a physician prescribes the drug, which requires the Federal Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval.
The FDA has not approved the drug, and therefore, it cannot be prescribed by Arizona physicians.
97. MARYLAND HOUSE BILL 702 Allows “specified” individuals in specified prosecutions to introduce, and requiring the court to consider as a mitigating factor, specified evidence related to medical necessity…”
This very vague law permits the defense of criminal necessity if arrested for marijuana possession
If defendant can prove medical necessity, the maximum fine cannot exceed $100.00
99. THE CONTROLLEDSUBSTANCES ACT Establishes 5 classifications or schedules of drugs
Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services jointly determine a drug’s classification
Cannabis is placed in Schedule 1 meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no acceptable medical use
101. OCBC organized to supply marijuana in California subsequent to the passage of Proposition 215
The court concluded that because the Controlled Substance Act did not recognize the medical necessity of marijuana under any circumstances, it could not be used as a defense in court UNITED STATES V. OAKLAND CANNABIS BUYERS’ COOPERATIVE (OCBC) AND JEFFERY JONES
102. GONZALES V. RAICH Supreme Court ruled the federal government can arrest and charge individuals on cannabis related crimes, regardless of the defendant's state law in regard to cannabis
Rationale – Federal law (Controlled Substance Act) preempted state law
Also took into account the Commerce Clause of the US Constitution as marijuana would affect interstate commerce
103. MEDICAL MARIJUANA CASES THAT REACHED THE HIGHEST COURT
104. JUSTIFICATION Emphasizes the need for alternative medical relief for New Yorkers suffering from a debilitating condition
Reaffirms New York’s strong stance against the use of marijuana for reasons other than medical necessity
Claims that state government does have the authority to permit such use
105. PATIENT CERTIFICATION PROCESS Debilitating condition must be documented in health care record
Patient must be under the care of a licensed practitioner
Other treatments have proven ineffective
106. POSSESSION Patient must possess a valid registry identification card to evade criminal interference
Possession limited to 2 ˝ ounces of usable marijuana and 12 plants
Must purchase marijuana from a registered organization
107. REGISTERED ORGANIZATIONS Pharmacy
Licensed facility
Not-for-profit organization
Local health department
Registered producers (requiring agricultural expertise)
108. CHANCES OF SUCCESS Assembly Bill 4867-B, sponsored by Assemblyman Gottfried, passed the New York State Assembly in 2007 but died in the New York State Senate
Without a “same as” senate sponsor, the bill has no chance of success
109. FEDERAL VS. STATE As stated in A.4867-B, this policy would not go into effect until such time that there was a change in federal law that permits the medical use of marijuana or New York is granted permission by the federal government to implement its policy
Both options are unforeseeable
The legislation could not go into effect
110. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA? The federal government has not allowed states to make medical marijuana decisions without interference.
HOWEVER, the Supreme Court did not reverse current state laws nor did it prohibit future states from enacting similar legislation.
This very well could open the door for other states to pass medical marijuana legislation, including New York state.
111. LAW OUTSIDE THE USA Canada
July 2003 the Canadian government started to deliver to physicians marijuana seeds in order to treat 582 approved patients – so that the patients can start to grow the plants themselves
A bag of 30 seeds will cost $20
US border patrol will increase activity?
Counter to the Canadian government’s policy of urging people to stop smoking
Fall 2004, pharmacies in British Columbia started to sell marijuana for medicinal purposes without a prescription
A pilot project of the national health service
Strong criticism of the proposal has come from patients
$110 an ounce and it is “lousy pot”, “tastes like lumber”
112. LAW OUTSIDE THE USA Netherlands
Government made medical marijuana legal in September 2003
113. AND THEN THERE IS… Chronic Candy is a marijuana-flavored lollipop and gumdrop line. The developers claim, "every lick is like taking a hit." Chronic Candy is a hemp-based confection. There have been no illegal substances found in the candy. A breakdown of the ingredients reveals a lot of sugar in the forms of glucose, dextrose, sugar, inverted sugar, and starches, along with different dyes for color and a "natural hemp flavor", presumably, hemp oil flavoring. There is no drug in the candy. The candy is imported from Switzerland and contains no THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. They are distributed through a very small (two person) business out of California.