norml02 - Page 38
Page 38
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H iI-12_ in support of their argument that marijuana has an
l accepted medical use in the treatment of glaucoma. Petitioners
do not contest that an effective treatment for glaucoma must
satisfy three criteria: (I) lower the pressure within the eye
(intraocular pressure); (2) for prolonged periods of time, and
i (3) actually preserve sight (visual fields). Final Order II_ 57
Fed° Reg. at 10,501. Nevertheless_ petitioners cite to no
studies or data showing that marijuana satisfies these criteria.
l Instead_ petitioners rely on and anecdotal
scientific
evidence
showing that large doses of marijuana owgr short periods of time
l may relieve intraocular pressure, but only temporarily so. The
I relevant studies also show that such large doses of marijuana
significantly impair the subjects' ability to function.
l Furthermore_ these studies indicate with to the
nothing
respect
preservation of eyesight. I d.
I The record also reflects that a qualified expert who testified
on behalf of petitioners had concluded several years earlier that
"marijuana inhalation is not an ideal therapeutic modality for
i glaucoma patients." See _do at i0_502o In 1980, the same expert
had testified that there were no data indicating the
effectiveness of marijuana in lowering intraocular pressure for
prolonged periods of time. I do In the 1986 administrative
proceedings_ this witness offered no new evidence in support of
the belief that marijuana is an effective treatment for glaucoma°
Ido Petitioners _ citation to a government expert's
acknowledgement that marijuana "cause[s] an acute fall in
I 32
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