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1. Name: John A. Benson, Jr. M.D.  
2. Title:

Co-Principal Investigator, National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine

3. Medical Marijuana
Position:		 Neutral to the question "Should marijuana be a medical option?"
4. Reasoning:

"Dr. Benson, in his official capacity as Co-Principal Investigator of the 1999 IOM report, was acting as a neutral on the Question of the medical use of marijuana." (2/26/02)

5. Credibility
Ranking:

 Key Experts
Physicians [We believe physicians are the "key experts" in the medical marijuana debate because the issue is thought by many to be ultimately based on the medical value and risks of marijuana, and Physicians, with their training and clinical work, should (at least in theory) have the best knowledge of marijuana's medical value and risks.].

6. Involvement:

Co-Principal Investigator, IOM report "Marijuana and Medicine; Assessing the Science Base"

7. Education:
  • Harvard Medical School
  • Mayo Clinic
8. Relevant Affiliations/Honors:
  • Dean and Professor of Medicine, Emeritus, Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine
  • Past President - American Gastroenterological Association
  • President Emeritus - American Board of Internal Medicine
  • Member - National Academy of Scicnes, Institute of Medicine
9. Contact Info:
Phone: (503) 494-8220 Fax: (503) 494-3400
E-Mail:   bensonj@ohsu.edu
Web Site: None
10. Other:

Dr. Benson continues to teach medicine at Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU), and serves on the OHSU Center for Ethics. He also serves on the Boards of two regional educational foundations.
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