AMA body calls for medical pot review

HOUSTON, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- The American Medical Association House of Delegates has called for a review of a U.S. ban on prescribing marijuana for medical use.

Meeting in Houston, the group declined to endorse state-based medical marijuana programs but voted in favor of reviewing the classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug, the AMA said on its Web site Tuesday. Schedule I is the only classification of controlled substances that may not be prescribed by a physician.

The AMA body also adopted a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law that forbids gays in the military from disclosing their sexual orientation. The resolution finds the policy threatens to compromise medical care of gay patients in the military.

The AMA House also adopted recommendations in a report concluding gay families face numerous health disparities including unequal access to health insurance benefits.

"Exclusion from civil marriage contributes to health care disparities affecting same-sex households," the report found.

Delegates at the Houston meeting also voted to support a band on the use of all handheld communication devices while driving, including cell phones.

"We want your hands on the steering wheel," said AMA Trustee Edward L. Langston.