FDA Cautions Cancer Patients About Medical Marijuana

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a stern warning Wednesday to companies marketing medical marijuana to cure or inhibit cancer — including mesothelioma — and cautioned patients about unsubstantiated claims. The FDA sent warning letters to four particular companies, citing deceptive marketing in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. “We don’t let companies market products that deliberately prey on sick people with baseless claims that their substance can shrink or cure cancer,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb in a press release Wednesday. “And we’re not going to look the other way on enforcing these principles when it comes to marijuana containing products.” Although marijuana is still classified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule I controlled substance, 28 states and the District of Columbia have legalized some form of medical marijuana use. At question is how it is being marketed, and for what purposes it is used. Mesothelioma Patients Touting Success with CBD Oil FDA regulators believe cancer patients are being misled specifically about cannabidiol (CBD), a marijuana component that has grown increasingly popular. It is being sold in various forms, including oils, syrups, capsules, teas and topical lotions. Patients with mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, have begun using it and sharing stories of its effectiveness in stopping tumor growth. Mesothelioma ...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: FDA marijuana warning marijuana for cancer medical marijuana for cancer Source Type: news