social science - medical marijuana

[bumab]

But, all preconceived notions aside, wouldn't alcohol and tobacco go in Schedual III as well?

[Biochemist]

Originally Posted by bumab

So, going by your descriptions: potential for abuse, pharacutical value, etc. where would you place marijuana on the list (if at all, legalization is an option)?

Good question. Schedules are for prescription items only. If we were talking legalization, the Schedules would not apply. I would expect some handling like cigarettes or alcohol (an age and ID requirement).

If it were legal but ny prescription, I suspect Schedule III or even IV are possible. There aren't a whole lot of well know items on schedule IV. I think phenobarbital is Schedule IV.

[Biochemist]

Originally Posted by bumab

But, all preconceived notions aside, wouldn't alcohol and tobacco go in Schedual III as well?

I suspect alcohol would go in schedule IV if it were prescription. There is no medicinal use for alcohol alone anymore, so it would not make the schedules now. I suspcet marijuana (or THC) would be schedule IV as well. It is pretty hard to kill yourself with marijuana, and I think the toxicity is part of the evaluation between schedules.

[bumab]

Is asprin on a schedual? I would imagine tobacco sales could be considered the equivalent of over the counter drugs (kind of), but with an ID requirement.

[Biochemist]

Originally Posted by bumab

Is asprin on a schedual? I would imagine tobacco sales could be considered the equivalent of over the counter drugs (kind of), but with an ID requirement.

No. Most prescription drugs with little or no abuse potential are not on a schedule (e.g., ant-inflammatories, antidepressants, antibiotics, antihypertensives, etc). Those drugs are prescription, but not scheduled.

Then, those drugs that are perceived (by the FDA) as even lower public risk are over-the-counter. Sometimes, the dosage alone will make a product prescription. Ibuprofen is OTC at 200mg, and prescription at higher doses.

[bumab]

Hmmm... I'm still for legalization of marijuana.

Pros: Reduce attraction to minors. Allow taxation, bring revenues to the public benefit. Allow another source of income and international trade (I'm 10 miles from Canada, pots our biggest import)

Cons: Uhh... frequency of use would rise initially, but I doubt that would last.

The argument that pots a "gateway" drug would also fall with legalization. I'm willing to bet the only reason it's a gateway for some is it gets them over the "illegal" hurdle.

[Michaelangelica]

Check out this BBC site and vote
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopi...e_cannabis.xml