Dr. Edward Langston on New Jersey Approving Medical Marijuana

Legalization of Medical Marijuana (editorialcartoonists.com)

The New Jersey Legislature approved The New Jersey Compassionate Medical Marijuana Act by a comfortable margin in both houses. This would make this state the 14th in the nation to legalize the use of cannabis for chronic illnesses, reports the New York Times.

New Jersey advocates and patients who had waited for hours for the final vote cheered the outcome.

Nancy Fedder, a 62 year old multiple sclerosis sufferer who gets around in a scooter, said she has used marijuana for years to reduce the pain.

“I’m in heaven. It means I am no longer a criminal in the state of New Jersey.

This bill allows patients suffering from severe illnesses such as cancer, AIDS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, and Multiple Sclerosis to obtain up to two ounces of marijuana at state-monitored dispensaries. Supporters say that within nine months patients with prescriptions from their doctors should be able to fill them at one of six locations. The state would help set the cost and insurance isn’t required to pay for it.

Despite all indications that cannabis benefits patients suffering from chronic illnesses, many are still hesitant over the legalization of medical marijuana, including the FDA and the Drug Enforcement Agency.  There is not enough scientific research to strengthen the position of medical marijuana supporters.

Dr. Edward Langston (aafp.org)

The AMA, the nation’s largest physician’s organization with about 250,000 members, urged the federal government to reconsider its classification of marijuana as a dangerous drug with no accepted medical use. This is the most restrictive category that includes LSD and heroin. Even though they were careful to state that they weren’t endorsing state based medical programs, such as the one in New Jersey, the shift in this influential organizations policy will help clear the way for more scientific research.

“Despite more than 30 years of clinical research, only a small number of randomized, controlled trials have been conducted on smoked cannabis,” said Dr. Edward Langston, an AMA board member, noting that the limited number of studies was  “insufficient to satisfy the current standards for a prescription drug products.”

According to Vitals.com, Dr. Langston received his medical degree at Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his residency at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Recent studies have shown the benefit of cannabis for illnesses such as multiple sclerosis. The results of a Temple University study showed that cannabis reduces symptoms of MS, calming the immune system, unlike corticosteroids that turn off the immune response entirely leaving a patient vulnerable to infection.

“If you can slow that down for 10 or 20 years, you can make a significant impact on patient’s lives,” said co-researcher Doina Ganea.

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