Bay Area Reporter - April 27, 2001
Bob Roehr

The main active ingredient in marijuana appears to be the cannabinoid known by the chemical shorthand of THC, though many argue that some of the other cannabinoid molecules found in the plant may also play a medicinal role. Marinol is the trade name of the synthetic version of THC approved for sale in this country under strict regulation.

Morgan said, and many who have used it agree, that Marinol is a heavy-handed approach. Only one dosing strength is available and it takes a long time to be absorbed and metabolized by the body. Other methods of administration, such as a vaporizer/inhaler, a liquid suspension held under the tongue, or perhaps a skin patch similar to one used to stop smoking, might offer more immediate and better calibrated delivery of cannabinoids. But government restrictions have inhibited such research.

He concluded, "The government's decision to prosecute marijuana smokers [while licensing the sale of Marinol] is akin to encouraging the taking of synthetic vitamin C by outlawing orange juice."

California researcher Dale Gieringer is working on ways to make inhaled marijuana safer by reducing or eliminating the cancer causing byproducts associated with all smoked materials. He said researchers first tried water pipes but found that water filtered out the THC as well as the carcinogens. People simply smoked more to get the required effect of THC and there was no net gain in safety.

He held up an "M-1 volatizer," calling it "basically a high tech cigarette lighter." The prototype heats marijuana to a temperature sufficient to turn cannabinoids into a gas but not hot enough to do the same to benzene and other carcinogenic byproducts that come from burning materials. Researchers have found that cannabinoids volatilize, or separate and become airborne, at temperatures of about 180 degrees centigrade. The cancer-causing chemicals require the higher temperature associated with combustion (230 degrees centigrade) in order to form and become airborne, so none were present at the lower level. At the end of the experiment most of the cannabinoids seem to have been drawn from the marijuana, while the sample maintained its form and was still green, Gieringer said.

He showed how many medical marijuana users in California are now jerry-rigging their own volatizers. They use a paint stripper heat gun and a bong, "let it run for a few seconds [to heat the marijuana] and then inhale." He said a paint gun with a rechargeable battery "is good for 30-50 tokes."

Oakland physician Tod Mikuriya said that he has smoked marijuana since 1964, but two months ago switched to the paint gun option, "and I can moralistically say, I don't smoke marijuana."

Ethan Russo, whose research at the University of Montana focuses on herbs and natural products, said that 80 percent of migraine sufferers get systematic relief from smoking cannabis.

010427
BR010422

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .