April 26 , 2006 The United States Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recently issued an advisory regarding claims that smoked marijuana (dagga) is a medicine. The FDA said in a statement that it and other agencies with the Health and Human Services Department have "concluded that no sound scientific studies supported medical use of marijuana for treatment in the United States, and no animal or human data supported the safety or efficacy of marijuana for general medical use." This supports the evidence that DFL presented to the Constitutional Court of South Africa in the case of Garreth Prince v President of the Law Society of the Cape of Good Hope in 2002. A number of states in the USA have passed legislation allowing dagga use for medical purposes, but the FDA said, "These measures are inconsistent with efforts to ensure that medications undergo the rigorous scientific scrutiny of the FDA approval process and are proven safe and effective." The FDA affirmed that there is no empirical proof that any medical use of dagga can compete with already existing medicines on the market for the treatment of the diseases and conditions it is advocated for. Rather, the detrimental effects of dagga to both the individual and society have been shown to far outweigh any potential benefits. Dagga impairs the short-term memory of users and regular use leads to tolerance requiring ever larger doses to achieve the same "high". In pregnancy, it has been linked to low birth weight, increase in miscarriages, premature birth and impaired mental development of the foetus. Among elementary school age children, those exposed to dagga in utero suffer attention and cognitive problems. Studies also show drivers who use dagga have slow reaction times, impaired coordination and lower attention spans increasing the risks of accidents. According to US health agencies, there is no currently accepted medical use for marijuana in treatment, and it has a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. DFL applauds the strong stance the FDA has taken based on sound medical and scientific evidence that shows that smoked marijuana is harmful and has a high potential for abuse. 'Doctors for Life International' represents more than 1300 medical doctors and specialists, three-quarters of who practise in South Africa. DFL was founded as a South African organisation in 1991 and has spread across the globe. For more information, go to: www.doctorsforlifeinternational.com
'Doctors for Life International' represents more than 1400 medical doctors and specialists, three-quarters of who practice in South Africa. Since 1991 DFL has been actively promoting health care that is safe and efficient for all South Africans. DFL was founded as a South African organization in 1991 and has spread across the globe. DFL is involved in several community projects including orphan care, the care of terminal AIDS patients, malaria prevention and the care of abused women. |