• U.S. GAO Symptoms or Conditions List
• American Medical Association (AMA) and Marijuana
• Non-smoked Ways to Use Marijuana Medically

A November, 2002 report by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) noted the following symptoms or conditions under Appendix IV of their report; "Decriptions of Allowable Conditions under State Medical Marijuana Laws" :

1. Alzheimer's Disease
2. Anorexia
3. AIDS
4. Arthritis
5. Cachexia
6. Cancer
7. Crohn's Disease
8. Epilepsy
9. Glaucoma
10. HIV
11. Migraine
12. Multiple Sclerosis
13. Nausea
14. Pain
15. Spasticity
16. Wasting Syndrome

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1. "The AMA calls for further adequate and well-controlled studies of marijuana and related cannabinoids in patients who have serious conditions for which preclinical, anecdotal, or controlled evidence suggests possible efficacy and the application of such results to the understanding and treatment of disease.
2. The AMA recommends that marijuana be retained in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act pending the outcome of such studies.
3. The AMA urges the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to implement administrative procedures to facilitate grant applications and the conduct of well-designed clinical research into the medical utility of marijuana. This effort should include:
   1. disseminating specific information for researchers on the development of safeguards for marijuana, clinical research protocols and the development of a model for informed consent on marijuana for institutional review board evaluation;
   2. sufficient funding to support such clinical research and access for qualified investigators to adequate supplies of marijuana for clinical research purposes;
   3. confirming that marijuana of various and consistent strengths and/or placebo will be supplied by the National Institute on Drug Abuse to investigators registered with the Drug Enforcement Agency who are conducting bona fide clinical research studies that receive Food and Drug Administration approval, regardless of whether or not the NIH is the primary source of grant support.
   
   
4. The AMA believes that the NIH should use its resources and influence to support the development of a smoke-free inhaled delivery system for marijuana or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to reduce the health hazards associated with the combustion and inhalation of marijuana.
5. The AMA believes that effective patient care requires the free and unfettered exchange of information on treatment alternatives and that discussion of these alternatives between physicians and patients should not subject either party to criminal sanctions."

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The following methods can use various portions of the cannabis plant; buds, leaves and kief (kief is made up of the crystals, hairs, small bits and sometimes pollen. It looks like a find yellowish gray powder. It is made by sifting the small parts of the cannabis through a fine screen.)

1. Butters & Cooking Oils

Description:
Cannabis flowered tops and leaves are simmered in butter (or vegetable oil) for several hours, transferring the THC and other cannabinoids to the butter. The solid plant material is then discarded. The butter, now a dark shade of green, is then used in baking such items as brownies and cakes, or added to such foods as spaghetti sauce or soup. The oily base of the butter is needed for the cannabinoids to properly adhere.

Use:
This method is utilized by many patients suffering from pain and spasticity, and sometimes, sleep disorders. Although not the preferred method for patients suffering from nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite, is is sometimes used to supplement their other delivery methods, or used by those unable or unwilling to smoke or use a vaporizer.

2. Oils

Description:
Cannabis flowered tops and leaves are filtered into its oils by a method using butane gas. Some patients may create a weaker oil using a "supercritical carbon dioxide extraction." The oil can then be inhaled using a pipe or vaporizer, directly added to foods or liquids, or for some conditions applied directly to the skin.

Use:
This can be used for most symptoms for which cannabis is recommended, and the patient can choose whether to inhale for quick relief, or add to liquids or foods for different results.

3. Tinctures & Tonics

Description:
Cannabis flowered tops and leaves are soaked in an alcohol solution, transferring the THC and other cannabinoids to the liquid. The tincture is then used in various ways; added to foods and liquids, applied to the skin, or the patient consumes directly by drinking a small quantity or placing a few drops under the tongue (sublingual). A tonic, on the other hand, is very similar to a tincture, but is designed to be drunk. Some will mix it with a fruit drink to mask the bitter taste.

Use:
This can be used for most symptoms for which cannabis is recommended, and the patient can choose whether add to liquids or foods or under the tongue.

4. Vaporizers

Description:
Heating marijuana's active ingredients in the plant to a point where it produces a vapor (a fine mist), then inhaling the vapor into the lungs. The correct vaporization temperature is around 320° Fahrenheit. A vaporizer machine is usually used for this purpose. Hot air vaporization releases about five compounds, with THC being in the highest concentration, whereas smoking marijuana releases about 111 compounds.

Use:
This is the non-smoked method most often recommended as an alternative to smoking. Patients can utilize it for most of the symptoms/conditions for which marijuana is recommended.

(Prepared by Medical Marijuana Pro/Con. Special thanks to Dale Gieringer of California NORML and Jay Cavanaugh, Ph.D. of the American Alliance For Medical Cannabis, and Rick Maughs, author of "Medical Marijuana Guide 2004," for their input.)

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