Medical marijuana and organ transplant lists

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The political wrangling over medical marijuana doesn’t seem to be settling down and, in fact, may be about to heat back up.

The Los Angeles Times reported today that prospective organ transplant recipients were being removed from the transplant list because they’d used doctor-prescribed pot. As the story says: ‘Asked why the committee considered marijuana use under a doctor’s supervision’ a history of substance abuse,’ a hospital spokesman cited the federal law categorizing marijuana as an illegal drug.’

Earlier this month, the White House drug czar called attention to a report linking frequent marijuana use to depression in teenagers. Some addiction experts took issue with that conclusion, suggesting it may have overstated the evidence, although depression does seem to be a risk factor for drug use.

These stories aside, if the debate over medical marijuana is not about to heat back up, it should. People are confused and in limbo, and the information from both sides is distrusted.

For a broad discussion of the issue and, most interestingly from a health standpoint, an evaluation of the potential risks and benefits, check out Medical Marijuana ProCon.org.

(The site includes this statement: ‘Note: We do not provide referrals to or recommendations of marijuana dispensaries, cannabis clubs, physicians, or attorneys although we do reference them on this website.’)

-- Tami Dennis