norml09 - Page 15
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The only favorable evidence that could be found by
NORML and DEA consists of stories by marijuana users who
claim to have been helped by the drug. Scientists call
these stories anecdotes. They do not accept them as
reliable proofs. The FDA's regulations, for example_
provide that in deciding whether a !new drug is a safe and
effective medicines _isolated case reports..owill not be
considered. '_ 21 CFR 314oi26(e) o Wl_y do scientists consider
stories from patients and their doctors to be unreliable?
Firs_, sick people are not objective scientific
observers, especially when it comes to their own health. We
all have heard of the placebo effec_. Patients have a
tendency to respond to drugs as they believe is expected of
them. Imagine how magnified this placebo effect can be when
a suffering person experiments on himself, praying for some
relief. Many stories no doubt are due to the placebo
effect_ not to any real medical effects of marijuana.
Seconds most of the stories come from people who took
marijuana at the same time they took prescription drugs for
their symptoms. For example_ Robert Randall claims
marijuana has saved his sights yet he has taken standard
glaucoma drugs continuously since 1972. There is no
objective way to tell from these stories whether it is
marijuana that is helpful_ or the proven_ traditional
medicines. Even these users can never know for sure.
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