Medical marijuana and organ transplant lists

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

Photo by Kevin P. Casey / For The Times, of Jonathan Simchen, a diabetic and medical marijuana user, who was removed from a Seattle hospital's transplant program.

Comments

[Jeff]

What an excellent article. The fact i.e.TRUTH is exactly as said, "People are confused and in limbo, and the information from both sides is distrusted." Except for the patients who from personal experience know the medically theraputic effects of Cannabis. Even England's Virgin Queen used a tincture of Cannabis and Alcohol to control pain from menstruel cramps. I use it to control the waves of nausea I surf from mild to severe every hour of everyday due to Diabetic Neuropathic Gastro Paresis, I also use it to inable myself to eat, otherwise I have no appetite and it also controls the Generalized Anxiety Disorder I was diagnosed with.So spare me your political point of view this is a medical issue not a political issue. If it is accepted as a political issue then the motivation for that issue must be exposed and the main political issue against marijuana is racial. The U.S. Gov't fears that it would lead teens into heroin addiction, or (Insert your drug of choice here) and the inner cities would become all junkies with the drug profits promoting terrroism and control of the world leaving the hands of America ( you know exactly like what's going on now.) Therein is our problem. Solution: Legalize marijuana regulate it, tax it, play with it whatever. But LEGALIZE MARIJUANA and COLLAPSE THE BLACK MARKET. Now that wasn't a difficult decision was it?

[Mary]

This does seem to be more of a medical issue, but there is also the political part of it. Marijuana is illegal according to the federal government who regulates the transplant waiting list. So even if the answer is to legalize marijuana, it doesn't change the fact that it is not legal and the federal government has the right to approve or disapprove anyone from being added to the waiting list. Why should people who have taken advantage of their lungs by smoking marijuana get the donated lung instead of someone who follows the rules and has a disease passed on by genetics? If a person needs an organ badly enough, I highly doubt that they would choose to smoke pot over getting an organ to save their life.