HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/20/1993, 9 - MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL USE Y MEETING AT
���H�����►iu►Ilil�lli° llUlh city of san . .is oBispo 7 �A
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER:
FROM: Ann Slate, Personnel Director;';
SUBJECT: Marijuana For Medical Use
CAO RECOMMENDATION: Consideration of a Resolution supporting the use of
Marijuana for medical purposes and advising county, state
and federal elected officials of this support.
DISCUSSION:
Background o� .
At the May 25, 1993 City Council Meeting, representatives from Citizens for Medical Marijuana
requested Council consideration of a resolution supporting the use of marijuana for those who
are seriously ill. The Council directed staff to review the issue and bring it back to them on a
future agenda.
Citizens for Medical Marijuana is a group of San Luis Obispo County residents who believe the
current law that eliminates.marijuana from the list of medicines available by prescription needs
to be changed. They have approached local jurisdictions seeking support through the
establishment of policies favoring availability of medical marijuana, and the communication of
such policies to various state and federal governmental officials and representatives.
Earlier this year, the group approached the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors with
a proposed ordinance which would establish a county policy favoring the availability of
marijuana for medical use. The Supervisors directed the County Department of Health to
conduct an analysis of the issue from a scientific/medical perspective. Tom Maier, Director of
Disease Prevention, is conducting the research and gathering data to present to the Board. Prior
to Board consideration, the County's Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board will be reviewing the
Health Department's analysis and advising the supervisors of their findings.
On July 12, 1993, the City of Morro Bay will be conducting a public hearing prior to
consideration of a resolution supporting the use of medical marijuana. The Morro Bay
resolution is essentially the same resolution the Citizens for Medical Marijuana are asking the
San Luis Obispo Council to consider.
The cities of Santa Cruz and San Francisco have adopted voter initiated policies endorsing the
use of medical marijuana. The County of Marin has adopted a similar ordinance.
Purpose of the Resolution
The resolution serves as an acknowledgement of the medical benefits of marijuana when used
as prescribed treatment for disease, relief of pain or any medical purpose as determined by•a
licensed physician.
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Page 2
Further, it requires the Council to transmit the resolution to the County of San Luis Obispo, the
Governor of California, state and federal legislative representatives of the City as well as the
President of the United States urging them to take action to restore marijuana to the list of
available medicines which can be prescribed by licensed physicians. Additionally the resolution
advocates support of State Senate Joint Resolution ##8 introduced by Senators Mello and Marks
in March of 1993. (Attachment 1)
Conclusion
i
The Citizens for Medical Marijuana believe in the medical benefits of marijuana. They are
working to have the law changed that prohibits the use of marijuana and that classifies it as a
dangerous substance with no known medical value. To accomplish the goal of having marijuana
reclassified to a drug with known medical value, the Citizens for Medical Marijuana are asking
the City Council and other local agencies to adopt policies supporting the use of marijuana for
medical purposes and to advise other elected officials of their policies.
This resolution in no way advocates illegal drug abuse nor the recreational use of marijuana for
non-medical purposes. It does not compromise the law enforcement of current criminal
sanctions. It is advisory, only, to the county, state and federal.governments.
CONCURRENCES:
The City Attorney in his review opined that the proposed resolution does not raise any
significant legal issues concerning preemption or otherwise.
]FISCAL EMPACT:
None
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Adopt the resolution as presented in Exhibit A.
2. Defer adoption of the resolution until the County of San Luis Obispo Health Department
has issued its scientific/medical analysis of the use of medical marijuana.
3. Do nothing at this time.
ATTACHMENT
Senate Joint Resolution 48
Introduced b. Senators ;hello and Marks
Alarch 3, 1993
Legislative Counsel's Digest
SJR No. 8 Relative to cannabis/marijuana.
SJP, 8, as introduced, Mello. Controlled substances: cannabis!marijuan_-.
This measure Would memorializze the President and the Congress of the United
States to enact appropriate legislation to permit cannabis/marijuana to be prescribed by
licensed physicians and to ensure a safe and affordal.lc supphof canttabiwwantuatia fut
medical use.
Fiscal Committee: no.
SJR #8
(Full Text)
RTMRMAS, Scientific and medical studies by the Natioual Academy of Sciences have
sho% n Cannabis..'Marijuana to be a safe and effective medicine with ven, lo«- tosic;n,
compared to most prescription drugs. It has been sho kn to be effective in the treatment „+'
glaucoma; epilepsy: muscle spasticity; artliritib, the nausea. voluitir►tt and appetite lis,
associated with chemotherapies an.%ietg and depression; and the syntptonts of�ithdra.�al
imm alcohol and narcotics.
WIEER)_;AS, Studies show that one third of all causer patients diswutuwe potentially
life-saviug chemotherapy due to the severe and debilitating side effccts and the same is
tnrc for marl-:>,IDS patients receiving AZT or other similar therapies; and
NNMEREAS, Must physicians surveyed said that they would prese 'I&
CannabisAlariit,ana if legally available and one-half of all cancer of all cancer specialists
surveyed said that they have already encourager) at least one of their patients to break the
lawand use Cannabis/Mariivana to ease the violent nausea and vomiting associated with
their current treatments; and
«'I IFRF.15; In Niav of 1901, the United Nation Narcotic Control Board voted
overwhelmingly to reclassify Cannabis/Ivlariivana's active ingredient, placing it back on
&-hedule U and urade available by prescriptiott, and malting it available by prescription.
and the United States representative to this board voted in favor of rescheduling; and
?-3
I%H REAS, Despite a federal court.order recognizing the "clearly established medical
value" of Cannabis/ATarijuana and mandating that it be reclassified to Schedule II and
made available by prescription, the federal government continues to deny access to this
safe and effective medicine; and
' WIMREAS, By its own admission, the federal government continues to deny access to
Cannabis/Marijuana for political rather than medical reasons,. and are using patients as
pawns in the ever-escalating war on drugs by following current policies which place
message before medicine, convenience before compassion, and politics before patients;
now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of California, jointly, that the
Legislature of the State of California respectfully memorializes the President and the
Congress of the United States to enact appropriate legislation to permit
cannabis/manjuana to be prescribed by a licensed physicians and to ensure a safe and
affordable supply of cannabis/marijuana for medical use; and be it further
Resolved, that the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the
President and the Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress
of the United States.
EXHIBIT A
RESOLUTION NO. (1993 Series)
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO RESOLUTION
SUPPORTING THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA
WHEREAS, For the purposes of this resolution, "Cannabis/Marijuana medical
preparations" shall mean: all products made from Cannabis/Marijuana, in any form
.'-intended or used for human consumption, for the treatment of any disease, the relief
of pain, or as an adjunct to any medical procedure for the treatment of Cancer,
Glaucoma, or HIV/AIDS; or for any other medical healing purpose defined within the
bounds of the patient/doctor relationship; and
WHEREAS, Scientific and medical studies by the National Academy of Sciences
have shown Cannabis/Marijuana to be a safe and effective medicine with very low
toxicity compared to most prescription drugs, and that Cannabis/Marijuana has been
shown to be effective in the treatment of glaucoma, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis,
muscle spasticity and arthritis, the nausea, vomiting and appetite loss associated with
chemotherapies, anxiety and depression, and the symptoms of withdrawal from
-alcohol and narcotics; and
WHEREAS, Studies show that one-third of all cancer patients discontinue
potentially life-saving chemotherapy due to severe and debilitating side effects, and
that the same is true for many HIV/AIDS patients receiving AZT or other similar
therapies, and that a 1990 poll of oncologists conducted by the John F. Kennedy
School of Public Policy at Harvard University, found overwhelming acceptance of
9-S
Resolution No. (1993 Series)
Page 2
Cannabis/Marijuana's medical utility, and that nearly 70% of the cancer specialists
said they would prescribe Cannabis/Marijuana if it were legal to do so; and
WHEREAS, Despite a federal court order recognizing the "clearly established
medical value" of Cannabis/Marijuana and mandating that it be reclassified and
available by prescription, the federal government continues to deny access to this
substance; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that within thirty (30) days of the
adoption of this resolution, the San Luis Obispo City Council shall transmit the text
of this resolution to the County of San Luis Obispo and to the President of the United
States, the Governor of the State of California, and the Federal and State Legislative
Representatives of the City of San Luis Obispo, and urge them to take whatever
actions may be in their power to:
A) Restore Cannabis/Marijuana preparations to the list of available medicines
which can be prescribed by licensed physicians.
B) Provide for by law and institute such mechanisms as may be necessary, to
ensure a safe and affordable supply of Cannabis/Marijuana for medical use; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor communicate the City Council's
support of Senate Joint Resolution #8 to the City's state legislative representatives.
Upon motion of , seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
9-�
Resolution No: (1993 Series)
Page 3
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 1993.
Mayor Peg Pinard
ATTEST:
Diane Gladwell, City Clerk
APPROVED:
City Administrative Officer
Py/y ttor ey
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9- 7
_ I _ .TIN ZD 93AGEi��DA
DATE Z= ITEM #
U. DANN TORRANCE
Professional Engineer
Mayor Peg Pinard and City Council Members :
I understand you are about to consider a request for the
city to recommend that the use of marijuana be acceptable
for so—called medicinal uses for terminal cases .
I strongly urge you give no serious consideration to this
request .
We enough trouble in our city, state , and country with alcohol
without adding to that with Marijuana . There is percription
medicine available for those who indeed need it .
We should give our attention to the reduction of use of drugs ,
such as has been done so well with tobacco , and give no
consideration to expansion of use .
The city is certainly commended by many sources for the job:-
done on tobacco , and we should continue down that path.
C- DVEU
Thank you JUL 19 1993
CITY COUNCIL
SAN LUIS OBISPO,CA
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APPRAISALS SAN LUIS OBISPO. CA 93401 805/541-2033
MEETING
AGENDA
DATE @2U 3
POSITION STATEMENT:
San Luis Obispo County Medical Society
Facts Concerning the Medical Use of Marijuana, 1993
Recently, the medical uses of marijuana have been
191 Casa Street highlighted in the local media as proponents of
P.O.Box 319 "legalized uses and access" have urged local
San Luis Obispo, governments to pass resolutions concerning the
California 93406 medical use of marijuana. As often occurs, factual
LU scientific information is lacking in the discussion and
❑6 D--xl m AdiFYI debate concerning the medical indications of
E�'c� o � R cannabinoid substances. The purpose of this "position
�r�cAo ❑ mE� statement" is to clearly and factually outline the
a�i e. o ucic. current scientific status of marijuana use in medical
❑ MGW.Tr.A.*a Cl REC DR D>R. practice.
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1. THE MEDICAL USE OF CANNABINOID SUBSTANCES
(Dronabinol, trade named Marinol) FOR ONCOLOGY PATIENTS
SUFFERING FROM CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED NAUSEA IS
LEGAL, AND IT IS EASILY OBTAINABLE FROM LOCAL
PHARMACIES. IT IS ALSO USED AS AN APPETITE
STIMULANT IN THE TREATMENT OF AIDS-RELATED
ANOREXIA ASSOCIATED WITH WEIGHT LOSS. IT HAS
BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE 1981.
2. Licensed physicians and surgeons can dispense Marinol (delta-9-
tetrahydrocannabinol or THC) using California State triplicate forms,
just as other Class II controlled substances are prescribed and
monitored (e.g. Morphine, Demerol, barbiturates, etc.). It is stocked
in capsule form in local pharmacies to be used as needed. Cost is
comparable to other anti-nausea medications. THERE IS NO
JUL 19 1993
CITY COUNCIL
SAN LUIS OBISPO,CA
PAGE 2 OF 3
GOVERNMENTAL CONSPIRACY TO KEEP CANNABINOIDS
AWAY FROM PATIENTS WHO REQUIRE THIS MEDICATION
FOR NAUSEA OR OTHER MEDICAL INDICATIONS.
3. Marinol is not very popular among cancer patients as other more
potent and effective anti-nausea medications have been developed. The
capsule form of marijuana has been demonstrated to be a more
pharmacologically potent medication than the inhaled form of
marijuana. Documented undesirable side-effects of Marinol include
dysphoria, anxiety reactions, toxic psychosis, hallucinations and
orthostatic hypotension. In addition there has been concern about
adverse interaction in elderly patients with preexisting medical
conditions such as coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease,
chronic hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and
asthma. (The California Cannabis Therapeutic Program Investigators
Brochure and Protocol Supplement, 1981).
4. Several local physicians and hospitals were enrolled with the
California Cannabis Therapeutic Program from January 1, 1981 -
October 1, 1986. Participants in this F.D.A./National Cancer Institute
Study were supplied either oral cannabinol (THC) in 30mg. capsules
or cigarettes with 12mg. THC. Several patients reported improved
anti-nausea control, however the majority of patients using
cannabinoids found side-effects that were undesirable. Most cancer
patients find the current generation of anti-nausea drugs superior to the
cannabinoids. he Medical Letter, Vol. 29, June 1, 1988, pp 2-4).
5. The California Medical Association endorsed a resolution during its
1992 House of Delegates concerning Protocols for Prescribing
Cannabinoids.
"That while opposing the recreational use of marijuana,
C.M.A. believes therapeutic use of cannabinoids under the
direction of a physician may be appropriate for certain
conditions: and be it further resolved that C.M.A. encourage
a comprehensive study to determine the appropriate protocols
PAGE 3 of 3 _.
for the prescriptive use of cannabinoids." Resolution 716-92
6. Since cannabinoids are legally accepted and obtainable for medical
purposes, access is not an issue. Cigarette forms of marijuana are not
considered therapeutically preferred because of erratic, inconsistent
pharmacokinetic absorption, dosing and detrimental side effects.
Recent studies released have objectively demonstrated that smoking
marijuana cigarettes "exposes the user to a four-fold increase in the
quantity of insoluble smoke particulates (tar) than did smoking a
filtered tobacco cigarette of comparable weight, thus amplifying the
exposure of the marijuana smoker to the carcinogens in the tar phase
and increasing the risk of respiratory tract carcinogenesis." (Tashkin,
D.P. "Is Frequent Marijuana Smoking Harmful to Health?" Western
Journal of Medicine, June, 1993, pp4-6)-.
THUS IN SUMMARY, MARIJUANA (MARINOL, THC) IS
CURRENTLY LEGAL AND AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS WHO
REQUIRE AND DESIRE THIS DRUG. IT IS EASILY
ACCESSIBLE AT THE LOCAL PHARMACIES, REQUIRING A
PHYSICIANS PRESCRIPTION. THE CAPSULE FORM IS
PREFERABLE TO THE INHALED FORM BECAUSE OF
PREDICTABLE DOSING, AND PHARMACOLOGIC CONTROL.
MARIJUANA CIGARETTES ARE NOT CONSIDERED AN
ACCEPTABLE DELIVERY SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THE LARGE
TAR RESIDUE AND OTHER COMBUSTION BY-PRODUCT
EXPOSURE TO THE USER. FURTHERMORE, THE CURRENT
GENERATION OF ANTINAUSEA MEDICATIONS ARE
SUPERIOR TO THE CANNABINOIDS IN TERMS OF
EFFECTIVENESS, SAFETY AND INCIDENCE OF
DELETERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS.
RendH. Bravo, M.D.
President, San Luis Obispo County Medical Society
7/16/931