Marinol VS Marijuana

Posted by Anonymous at June 04. 2008

June 2, 2008 Honorable Judge: Claudia Wilken, First and formally I'd like to truly thank you for taking this time to hear what I have to say about Michael Martin. My name is Susan Colombe, I'm 46 years old, a single mother who takes Marinol daily. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved MARINOL to treat nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conventional treatments. The FDA also approved MARINOL to treat appetite loss associated with weight loss in people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). If you have HIV/AIDS, your health care professional may prescribe MARINOL to help stimulate your appetite. Other important facts about MARINOL: •The active ingredient in MARINOL is dronabinol. •Dronabinol is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring compound known as delta-9-THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). •Delta-9-THC stimulates appetite and reduces nausea and vomiting by binding to special receptors found in your nervous system. •Delta-9-THC is also one of many components in marijuana. In fact, delta-9-THC is the main ingredient responsible for most of marijuana's effects. Marinol vs Marijuana: Myth: There is no scientific evidence proving marijuana's therapeutic qualities. Reality: In a White House-commissioned 1999 report, the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine declared that "nausea, appetite loss, pain, and anxiety are all afflictions of wasting and all can be mitigated by marijuana." Myth: Marijuana's potential health benefits are insignificant compared to the damage caused by smoking the drug. Reality: Marijuana need not be administered by smoking: It can be taken in food, tea, or through a smokeless vaporizer. Furthermore, a 2006 study by a leading pulmonologist, Dr. Donald Tashkin, found that even regular and heavy smoking of marijuana does not lead to lung cancer. Marijuana is misunderstood and viewed unfairly. Marijuana is like grass to our dogs or cats, as they often eat grass to regulate their digestive tract. I hope what's happened to me never happens to any one else, but it's happening more then you or I could ever imagine. I believe some things are better left to different perspectives. That way one can view another life objectively, even if it's not understood. In 1996 I was diagnosed with HSIL, and after many different procedures a hysterectomy was performed. On July 22, 1997, I became sober, and nine months later I was hospitalized, and labeled bipolar, with borderline personality disorder. I began taking FDA approved psych meds ranging from anti-depressants to anti-psychotics. Some worked; some didn't. I was taking over 20 different medications. I was unable to truly understand what was happening to me. I was hospitalized 6 more times, and lost control of my bladder. Tests performed indicated inflammation of the bladder. Surgery was recommended and performed in April of 2002. November's test indicated inflammation in my stomach. Then one day my body said, "no more," and I fell ill. There was no medicine for me to take. February 23, 2003 would change my life forever. I totaled my car. On the same day, my mom was killed by her boyfriend. Six weeks later I would fight for my own life. Weighing-in at 123 pounds and still losing. I would throw up for 15 months, and at one point I couldn't even keep water down. No medicine left but Marniol and it worked over night. The pain on a scale from 1 to 10 was now a 3. Like an electric mixer with knives at the end of it, spinning with unbelievably great force. Sometimes it would spin so fast I couldn't think. Other times it would just spin on a low, mixing up whatever was in there. It never stopped enough for me to know if my food would stay down. I could not get hungry and have never used food for any reason then fuel and nutrition. The doctors didn't know what to do with me. It was recommended that I smoke marijuana to increase my appetite. Then I found Tainted Inc. I couldn't believe I could eat my medicine and get well. I felt healthier when I ate it. I learned that the main ingredient in marijuana, is delta 9-THC. Marinol is a synthetic version of this compound, but there is no greater source than the natural plant itself. "There is no better way to take my medicine then the mother plant," I thought. Michael Martin means freedom from pain. Tainted foods was the first Marijuana food I had ever eaten. When I ate this wonderful plant my life changed over night. I asked that you consider my testimony regarding Michael Martin. As I write this I will know more of what's to happened to me as I face the surgeons table one more time.... I had a chance to ask US Senator Dianne Feinstein regarding a Washington man who just died May 1 2008 for testing positive for Marijuana. I asked her, "What would you do to save your child's life?" And here is her response. Sincerely Your Susan Colombe Dear Ms. Colombe: Thank you for writing me to express your concerns about Mr. Timothy Garon, amedical marijuana user who suffered from Hepatitis C. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond. As you are aware, Mr. Timothy Garon died on May 1, 2008 after suffering from Hepatitis C. Mr. Garon was denied a liver transplant because he used marijuana with medical approval under Washington State law. However, in a 2005 decision, Gonzales vs. Raich, the Supreme Court held that Congressional authority under the Commerce Clause includes the power to prohibit the local cultivation and use of marijuana, even if state law permits such actions. I understand the concerns you raise about the current legal classification of marijuana and the conflicts between state and Federal laws. While I do not support the legalization of marijuana or other illegal drugs for recreational use, please know that I do recognize that marijuana may have medicinal properties that could alleviate conditions such as AIDS-related wasting and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Given this, I am examining what, if any, changes to Federal law are called for. Finally, as you know, Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) introduced the "Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act" (H.R. 5842). Currently, there is no companion bill in the Senate. Please know, however, that I have made note of your support of this legislation and will keep your thoughts in mind should the Senate consider medical marijuana-related issues in the 110th Congress. Once again, thank you for your letter. I hope you will keep in touch on matters of importance to you. Best regards. Sincerely yours, Dianne Feinstein United States Senator