AMA requests government review of marijuana “Schedule 1″ classification

Here’s an update to my October 27th column about the War on Drugs, and the subtle, slow-to-come signs that the government is beginning to consider more seriously the medicinal uses of various “harmful substances”.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has officially requested that the government review its classification for marijuana as a “Schedule 1 Substance”.

Schedule 1 Substances are categorized as such because the government believes them to have “no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States,” according to the Controlled Substances Act.

Apparently, the largest group of physicians in the nation is beginning to recognize that marijuana may indeed have medical applications, citing the following possible benefits in a recent report:

Smoked cannabis reduces neuropathic pain, improves appetite and caloric intake especially in patients with reduced muscle mass, and may relieve spasticity and pain in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Well, it took them long enough. Let’s face it, they’re only now ready to acknowledge this because doing so does not present as much of a liability anymore. After all, 12 states have now decriminalized marijuana, and even President Obama is showing some leniency in regards to the subject. In fact, a recent Gallup poll shows that 44% of Americans believe marijuana should be legalized altogether.

Within the same report, the AMA voiced its opinion that the government should repeal its “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy , which prohibits openly gay individuals from serving in the military, as well as gay marriage bans because of resulting disparities in health care. Also, the AMA declared its support for a ban on cellphone use while driving.