Illegal Drug Business

Dr. Philip Delio, Santa Barbara County Medical Society president, missed the mark when he wrote (as quoted by Dr. David Bearman) that “marijuana should be subject to the same prescribing guidelines and regulations that would apply to any prescription drug.” [Voices, “Tax and Regulate,” 6/9/10] Cannabis is a natural herb and as such should not be subject to regulations created for laboratory developed medicines. There is clear legal precedent showing that natural herbs and nutritional supplements are not subject to the same FDA regulation as laboratory prepared drugs, whether they are prescription or over-the-counter. What he is proposing is not consistent with U.S. law or practice.

I do agree that there is confusion, since cannabis requires a doctor’s recommendation, but that is one of the reasons the law will be changed in California in November.—Dave Lane, Santa Cruz

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