Tag: Emory University

    Georgia Documents Reveal Benefits of Smoking Marijuana for Cancer Nausea Treatment

    Georgia C.A.R.E. Project has obtained a long forgotten document summarizing Georgia’s medical marijuana research program enacted in 1980. The eight page document from 1983 summarized the data collected during a short research program concerning smoking marijuana and THC capsules for treatment of cancer chemotherapy as an anti-emetic (nausea ). The research program also included treatment for glaucoma, but no documents have been found to support this research. Some believe the research documents were destroyed by the state of Georgia and/or Emory University.

    With the unanimous passage of the Georgia Controlled Substance Therapeutic Research Act in 1980 Georgia was one a the first states in the nation to pass medical marijuana legislation.

    A joint study by the state of Georgia and Emory University included more than 100 patients. Canisters of pre-rolled cigarettes from the federal government’s cultivation program at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) were given to patients selected by the Patient Qualification Review Board and were allowed to take home the canisters and use the cannabis on their own and report the results on forms. THC was also given to patients in a capsule form. The study focused on the efficacy and toxicity of cannabis.

    According to a former state spokesperson familiar with the program, the research was suspended after the federal government cut off the supply of what was described as “ditch weed”. Issues with patient participation included a stigma attached to smoking marijuana as many of these patients were older adults with little or no experience with marijuana and the lack of quality (harshness) of the cannabis being produced in the 1980s. Some patients preferred swallowing a capsule but with nausea keeping the medicine down was a problem.

    The study concluded that smoking marijuana (whole plant) and THC capsules to be an “effective anti-emetics”.

    In 2015, the debate over medicinal cannabis continues in Georgia with competing bills being introduced. It is expected that some form of medical cannabis will be approved in the 2015 session, but many observers remain cautiously optimistic given the political shenanigans that occurred in the 2014 session that killed House Bill 885.

      No, marijuana isn’t a gateway drug

      There’s more evidence that marijuana does not, in fact, lead to harder drug use.

      marijuana use might not be as dangerous as some critics of the drug fear

      A new study from Emory University researchers looked at federal surveys and states that legalized medical marijuana to evaluate the impact of legalization on marijuana and other drug use. Researchers found medical marijuana legalization led adults 21 and older to use more marijuana, but the increase did not lead people to try harder drugs.

      The study has several implications for states that are considering whether to legalize marijuana for recreational or medical purposes. For one, it suggests relaxed marijuana laws can lead to more regular marijuana use, although not among teenagers. But the study also indicates that marijuana use might not be as dangerous as some critics of the drug fear.

        Breaking News: Medical marijuana cultivation may be allowed in Georgia

        ATLANTA (AP) – A state lawmaker seeking to bring medical marijuana to Georgia under certain circumstances has revised his bill ahead of a key committee hearing Wednesday.

        Georgia CARE has advocated amending Georgia House Bill 885 to include intrastate cultivation. Follow the news on Facebook – www.facebook.com/gacareproject   jb

        “If House Bill 885 fails to pass out of committee this week, its chance for passage this year would narrow considerably.

        Sponsored by Republican Rep. Allen Peake of Macon, the bill would revive a long-dormant research program allowing academic institutions to distribute cannabis oil to those suffering from specific medical conditions.

        Peake says the main change addresses the fact that federal guidelines currently prohibit accessing cannabis across state lines. The bill would permit approved academic medical centers in the state to grow cannabis.

        Peake says the centers, which include University of Georgia and Emory University, would have the option to participate and would not be compelled.”