Medical Use of Marijuana Ingredients Backed by British Medical Association

MEDICAL MARIJUANA August 1997

The British Medical Association's (BMA) Board of Science and Education called for the legalization of certain cannabinoids for medical use at its annual meeting in July. The board is preparing a report on the issue that is due in September (Ian Murray, "Doctors back cannabis treatments," The London Times, July 3, 1997, p. 2; John Black, "Expand Legal Uses of Pot, Doctors Urge," Los Angeles Times, July 3, 1997, p. A17).

The BMA stopped short of calling for the decriminalization of the marijuana plant, but recommended that some of its mood-altering chemicals be legalized to help seriously-ill and dying patients. "There are many conditions like multiple sclerosis and cancer where symptoms could not be controlled by drugs we are now allowed to use," Upen Pati from Sefton said. "The sick and dying should be able to turn to their doctor for help and not their drug dealer," BMA member Steven Hajioff said.