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 _:_ VI.
 ACCEPTED _EDICAL USE iN TREATMENT
 - GLAUCOMA
 ._TC>
 Findl_ of Fact _.......
 The preponderance of the evidence establishes the following facts with
 respect°to the accepted medical use of _rijuana in the treatment of glaucomas
 :<..,
 l, _laucom is a disease of the eye characterized by the excessive
 accumulation Of fluid causing increased intraocular pressure, distorted vision
 and, ultimately, blindness, In its early stages this pressure can sometimes be
 {--,L
 relieved by the administration of drugs, When such medical treatment fails
 adequately to reduce the intraocular pressure (lOP), surgery is generally resorted
 to. Although useful In _ny cases, there Is a hlgh incidence of failure with
 .-.:.F
 some types of surgery, FtYrther, serious compllcations can occur as a result of
 invaslve surgery. Newer, non_Invasive procedures such as laser trabeculoplasty
 are thought by some to offer much greater efficacy with fewer complications,
 Unless the lOP is relieved and brought to a satisfactory level by one means or
 another, the patient will go blind,
 :L 2o Two highly quallfled and experienced ophthalmologists in the United
 States have accepted marijuana as having a medlc_Y_ _se.in treatment for_ _:.
 glauco_=_ llley_are JoI_L.I_erritt_ M_I_ a_Ri_hard D. North, M_ _ Each of"
 C_ t-hem Is both a clinician, treating patieBts, and a researcher. Dr, Merritt is
 also a professor of ophthalmology. Dr, North has served as a medical officer in
 ophthalmology for the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and has worked
 C/ with the Public Health Service and FDA.
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