From an anthropological standpoint? how does the social stigma attached to the use of marijuana effect its use for medical purposes?

Use Of Marijuana Effect Its Use For Medical Purposes

Introduction

Marijuana has often been touted as one of the safest recreational substances available. This is perhaps true; many reputable scientific studies support the conclusion that cocaine? heroine? alcohol? and even cigarettes are more dangerous to the user's health than marijuana. In addition? the celebrated pharmacological properties of cannabis have led thirty-six states to permit its use as a therapeutic drug for? among others? those suffering from AIDS; various painful? incurable and debilitating illnesses; the harmful side effects of cancer chemotherapy? and glaucoma. Additional research is being conducted concerning the use of marijuana on the treatment of anxiety and mental disorders.

Nonetheless? it would be fallacious to conclude that because the chemicals in marijuana have been found to present fewer dangers than some very harmful substances? the medical or recreational use of marijuana is perfectly safe. In a recreational context? marijuana has been shown to affect health? brain function? and memory. And in a medical context? marijuana is like any other powerful prescription drug: it has potentially dangerous side effects? and the decision to use it to treat patients must involve the same balancing test as the one required for chemotherapy or AZT: do the therapeutic effects of the drug outweigh its harmful effects? Though there are many more studies to be done on this issue? current data shows that the answer to this question may not always be "yes."

The Medical Uses Of Marijuana

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) held a 2-day scientific meeting on February 19-20? 1997? to review the scientific data concerning the potential therapeutic uses for marijuana and the need for and feasibility of additional research. Central to the current debate about the therapeutic uses of marijuana is the claim that smoked marijuana offers therapeutic advantages over the currently available oral form (dronabinol capsules) of its most active ingredient? delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC)? for a wide variety of conditions.

As the therapeutic claims surrounding marijuana are wide-ranging? 10 separate NIH Institutes (with interest in the relevant areas) selected a group of eight experts with broad experience in clinical studies and therapeutics (and none of whom had a predetermined position on the medical utility of marijuana) to examine the data from the published scientific literature presented by speakers in the various therapeutic fields. The Ad Hoc Group of Experts also considered public comments including those of patients and advocacy groups as well as written material submitted to the Group after the meeting. The Expert Group was asked to focus on four questions? each presentation of data by a speaker was followed by a question-and-answer session by the Expert Group.

There was no requirement that individuals on the Group agree or express a consensus view? although they were free to do so if they so desired. A second day was provided for public comment and further discussion by the Expert ...