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Yes, the marinol medication (purified THC) lasts longer in the body, but the Glaucoma Foundation says that its effects are "not impressive."

The effects of Marinol on glaucoma are not impressive.

To date, no studies have shown that marijuana— or any of its approximately 400 chemical components—can safely and effectively lower intraocular pressure better than the variety of drugs currently on the market.

Currently, there are no National Eye Institute studies in the United States concerning the use of marijuana to treat glaucoma.

The Glaucoma Research Foundation will continue to monitor the research community for any new and well-designed studies regarding the use of marijuana to effectively treat glaucoma.

Heck, even High Times came out against it:

An April 1986 product insert from Roxane warned that Marinol elicits "disturbing psychiatric symptoms," and that even patients on low doses might experience "a full-blown picture of psychosis." The latter phrase has disappeared from recent product inserts, but experts say nothing has changed.

"It's way too psychoactive," says Robert Randall, the glaucoma patient who was the first American to obtain marijuana legally from the government. "When I took Marinol, I found it anxiety-provoking and intense, like I had wandered into a short story by Flannery O'Connor."

Yet more proof that marijuana, even the purified Marinol, has far more side effects than simple effective eye drops, and is why the AMA and FDA refuse to license it.

Why didn't you post this link?? Glaucoma Research Foundation Check out the side effects of these "safe" medications...

Is There a Cure?
Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma [emphasis mine]. Glaucoma is a chronic disease that must be treated for life. However, much is happening in research that makes us hopeful a cure may be realized in our lifetime. There is exciting work being conducted by scientists all over the world in the areas of genetics, neuroprotection and neuroregeneration. These areas of study deal with the origins and pathology of glaucoma as opposed to managing symptoms.
A cure is on the way.

Who's at Special Risk?
Everyone is at risk for glaucoma, however, certain groups are at higher risk than others. It is recommended that people at high risk for glaucoma receive a complete eye exam that includes eye dilation every one to two years.

Those at high risk for glaucoma include:

* African-Americans Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among African-Americans and is six to eight times more common in African-Americans than Caucasians.

* People Over 60 People over the age of 60 are six times more likely to get glaucoma than those younger.

* Hereditary If you have family members (especially immediate family members) with glaucoma, this puts you at a much higher risk than the rest of the population. Family history increases risk of glaucoma four to nine times as compared to those who do not have glaucoma in their family.

* Asian-Americans Asians are not in a particularly high-risk group for glaucoma except that Asians appear to be at some risk for angle closure glaucoma. Angle closure glaucoma accounts for less than 10% of all diagnosed cases of glaucoma.

* Steroid use There is some evidence that links steroid use to glaucoma. For the most part, there seem to be no serious effects. However, a study reported in the Journal of American Medical Association, March 5, 1997, demonstrated a 40% increase in the incidence of ocular hypertension and open angle glaucoma in adults who require approximately 14 to 35 puffs of steroid inhaler to control asthma. This is a very high dose and is only required in the cases of severe asthma.

* Eye Injury Glaucoma can occur as the result of an eye injury immediately after the injury or years later. This is also known as traumatic glaucoma and is most often the result of a blunt trauma such as a blow to the head or an injury directly to the eye. The most common cause is from sports related injuries such as baseball or boxing. When a blunt trauma occurs, it can cause damage to the drainage system resulting in traumatic glaucoma. Glaucoma can also be caused by a penetrating injury.

For reference:

CNN
Glaucoma Research Foundation
Canadian Opthomological Society
National Eye Institute

I realize that letting facts get in the way of things is not the norm here on /. but there's always a first time.

You're right. See here though. Seems you have to smoke non-stop for it to work. Side effects may be worse than the glaucoma, if you know what I mean....