Letter: Liquid pot still requires testing
A file photo shows marijuana being weighed and packaged for sale at a medical marijuana dispensary in Seattle. Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS / Ted S. Warren
The article "Liquid pot promising" [News, April 17] mentions the positive effect cannabidiol can have on patients suffering from rare forms of epilepsy. However, it fails to mention that cannabidiol has not passed all necessary clinical trials performed by the Food and Drug Administration. It is still considered a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Agency.
As anyone who has viewed a pharmaceutical television commercial can attest, there are often myriad potential side effects that can accompany a useful drug. The realization of these side effects only occurs through an emphasis on rigorous scientific investigation. Moreover, while cannabidiol has shown promise in a small minority of epileptics, the majority may not respond as successfully to treatment.
Since cannabidiol can easily be purchased over the Internet, we urge Newsday to be more transparent about these facts before potential patients purchase cannabidiol out of eagerness or urgency.
Gregory Carbonetti, Xianan Liu
Editor's note: The writers are doctoral candidates in molecular and cellular biology at Stony Brook University.
