Should Medical Marijuana be Federally Legalized?

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Below are some of the disorders that marijuana advocates contend that marijuana will help relieve. The subsequent statements concisely summarize the state of the medical literature.

Nausea from cancer chemotherapy: Neither marijuana nor cannabinoids have been evaluated against the newer effective anti-nausea medicine such as Zofran or Kytril. Marijuana and pure THC are only approximately as effective as the ancient medication compazine. The newer medicines have far fewer side effects than cannabinoids.

Glaucoma: There is no evidence that cannabinoids slow the progression of optic nerve deterioration, blindness, nor any element of the disease. Marijuana would need to be used several times daily, and has far more toxicity than available prescribed medications.

Appetite in AIDS wasting or cancer: While cannabinoids and cannabis increase appetite, it appears that only body fat is increased. Healthy nutrition would need to increase lean body mass in order for the weight gain to be beneficial to the subject.

Pain: While cannabinoids may have some benefit in modulating pain, they are no more effective than currently available medicine called neuroleptics or opiate-based pain medication. They also have a very small therapeutic window, so higher doses can actually increase pain.

Spasticity in Multiple sclerosis: Cannabinoids can reduce some muscle spasticity, they impair stable gait (ability to walk). They are generally more toxic than available MS medicines.

Depression and anxiety: There is no compelling evidence that marijuana helps these disorders. In fact, marijuana is a cause of psychosis, enhances anxiety in some people, and higher doses actually cause depression. It also causes dependence.

Headaches and Menstrual cramps: Marijuana is dangerous in women of child-bearing age because of toxic effects on the fetus. There is also no clear evidence that marijuana actually benefits these disorders any more than sedatives, and perhaps only from the intoxicating properties.