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 ACCEPTED MEDICAL USEIN TREATMENT
 - GLAUCOMA
 Findi rigs of. Fact
 The preponderance of the evidence establishes the following facts with
 respect to the accepted _:edical use of marijuana ia the treatment of glaucoma.
 1. Glaucoma is a disease of the eye characterized by the excessive
 accumulation of fluid causing increased iatraocular pressure, distorted vision
 and, ultimately_ blindness' In its early stages this pressure can sometimes be
 relieved by the administration of drugs. When such medical treatment fails
 adequately to reduce the intraocular pressure (10P), surgery is genera]l# resorted
 to. Although useful in many cases, there is a high incidence of failure with
 some types of surgery. Further, serious complications can occur as a result of
 invasive surgery. _ewer, non-invasive procedures such as _aser trabeculoplasty
 are thought by some to offer much greater efficacy with Fewer complications.
 Unless the lOP is relieved and brought _o a satisfactory level by one means or
 another, the patient will go blindo
 2. Two highly qualified and experienced ophthalmologists in the United
 States have accepted marijuana as having a medical use in treatment for
 glaucoma. They are John Co Merritt, M.D. and Richard D. North, M.D. Each of
 them is both a clinician, treating patients, and a researcher. Dr. Merritt is
 also a professor of ophthalmology. Ore.North has served as a medical officer in
 ophthalmology for theDepartment of Health: Education and Welfare and has worked
 with the Public Health Service and FDA.
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