AMA Changes Medical Marijuana Policy

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According to MedPage Today, the American Medical Association has changed it's policy on medical marijuana.

They are asking for marijuana to be moved out of Schedule I, in which drugs considered to be unsafe, highly risky for abuse, and having no medical use are placed -- without specifying the schedule under which it belongs -- for more research to be conducted into the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, and for funding to be made available for research.

In 2001, requests were made for further research, but AMA policy recommended that marijuana continue to be a Schedule I drug.

This move will be welcomed by those who depend on medical marijuana to relieve symptoms that are poorly managed by other medications, as well as by the pro-legalization movement. However, it should be emphasized that the endorsement of medical marijuana does not imply that marijuana is safe, nor that recreational use is advisable. One of the pitfalls of the stringent drug laws affecting marijuana is that users fail to take seriously any research showing negative effects, believing it to be government propaganda.

Neither should medical marijuana be perceived as a universal panacea. It's uses are limited and specific. Yet it is becoming acceptable even for young children, despite research showing the potential harm it can do to the developing brain.

Anyone considering use of medical marijuana is encouraged both to try alternative, non-drug approaches to addressing their problems, and to keep up-to-date on the research in the area. Now that the AMA is advocating so strongly for research in this area, we have a much better chance of learning about the benefits and drawbacks of this powerful drug.