Does Marijuana have Medical Value?

• “No”

  

  “No Relief from M.S., Chronic Pain or Glaucoma”

• “Objection”

  

  “Marijuana Treats Neuropathic Pain Due to Multiple Sclerosis”
  

No Relief from M.S., Chronic Pain or Glaucoma

Drug Free America Foundation

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Recommend (0) Comments (5)

Does it help those with multiple sclerosis?

• Studies show that spasticity is made worse, not better.

• Patients may perceive their spasticity to be partially relieved, but medicine has a higher standard – to actually get better not just to feel as though you are getting better.

Does it help people with chronic pain?

• Not in its raw form with its undesirable side effects

• There are hopeful studies (link to NIDA study) in animals that suggest a molecule similar to the cannabinoids in marijuana could be isolated and used to help alleviate pain. The lead researcher cautions: “It is a big step to go from a successful animal model to treating humans in pain.”

What about glaucoma patients?

• Raw marijuana has never been shown to be better or even just as good as existing drugs for relieving eye pressure, and it brings with it many more side effects than the approved medicines.

Evidence

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Neurology

Killestein, J, Hoogervorst, E, Reif, M, Kalkers, N, Van Leonen, C, Staats, P, Gorter, R, Yitdehaag, B, Polman, C. Safety, tolerability and efficacy of orally administered cannabinoids in MS. Neurology 2002;58: 1404-1407.

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British Journal of Medicine

Campbell FA, Tramer MR, Carroll D, Reynolds DJ, Moore RA, McQuay HJ. Are Cannabinoids an effective and safe treatment option in the management of pain? A qualitative systematic review. British Journal of Medicine 2001;323: 13-16 [systematic review of the available literature on cannabinoids and pain. Concluded that cannabinoids are no more effective than codeine in controlling pain and have depressant effects that limit usefulness. Should not be used in acute pain. Widespread introduction into clinical pain practice is undesirable.]

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Cannabinoid Appears Promising for Treatment of Chronic Pain

Mathias, R. Novel cannabinoid appears promising for treatment of chronic pain. NIDA Notes 2004; 19: 2.

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THC in the Treatment of End-Stage Open-Angle Glaucoma

Flash AJ. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the treatment of end-stage open-angle glaucoma. Trans Am Ophthalmo Soc 2002;215-222. [a study of ophthalmologists were treated with either oral THC or inhaled marijuana in addition to their regimen. Only nine patients were ultimately enrolled.

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Federal Register

Bonner, R. Marijuana rescheduling petitions.57 Federal Register. (1992):10499-10508.

Next Argument

"No" Drug Free America

• Marijuana is Not the Answer
  0
• No Relief from M.S., Chronic Pain or Glaucoma
  0
• Smoking is Never a Good Idea
  0
• The Side Effects Aren't Worth It
  0
• Marijuana is Not Prescribed By Medical Professionals
  0

"Yes" Amer Alliance for Med Cannabis

• Marijuana Treats Anxiety Disorders
  18
• Marijuana Treats Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  14
• Marijuana Treats Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  17
• Marijuana Treats Depression
  15

"Yes" Marijuana Policy Project

• Marijuana Relieves Pain When Conventional Drugs Fail
  15
• Marijuana Lets Patients Continue Life-Saving Treatment
  11
• Marijuana is Safer than Many Legal Medicines
  12
• Existing Medicines are not Adequate Substitutes
  10
• Marijuana Has Been Recognized as a Medicine for 5,000 Years
  12

"Yes" ASA

• Cannabis (Marijuana) is a Safe and Effective Medicine
  8
• Marijuana Medicines are Legal in Other Countries: US Trials Ongoing
  8
• Americans Who are Ill Deserve the Most Health Options Possible
  8

Most Objections

• Marijuana is Not Prescribed By Medical Professionals
  0
• Marijuana is Not the Answer
  0
• No Relief from M.S., Chronic Pain or Glaucoma
  0
• Smoking is Never a Good Idea
  0

Is Marijuana a Medicine?

• Yes
• No

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