Myth Busters
Myth: Marijuana Has No Medical Value
Written by Brenda ShoopMyth: Marijuana Has No Medical Value
Safer, more effective drugs are available. They include a synthetic version of THC, marijuana's primary active ingredient, which is marketed in the United States under the name Marinol.
Fact: Marijuana has been shown to be effective in reducing the nausea induced by cancer chemotherapy, stimulating appetite in AIDS patients, and reducing intraocular pressure in people with glaucoma. There is also appreciable evidence that marijuana reduces muscle spasticity in patients with neurological disorders. A synthetic capsule is available by prescription, but it is not as effective as smoked marijuana for many patients. Pure THC may also produce more unpleasant psychoactive side effects than smoked marijuana. Many people use marijuana as a medicine today, despite its illegality. In doing so, they risk arrest and imprisonment.
Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts: A Review of the Scientific Evidence. By Drs. Lynn Zimmer and John Morgan. New York: The Lindesmith Center, 1997.
See also "Frequently Unasked Questions"
By Dr. Jocelyn Elders, AlterNet . Posted March 26, 2008
Dr. Jocelyn Elders served as U.S. Surgeon General from 1993 to 1994, and is currently distinguished professor of pediatrics and public health at the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in Little Rock.
One of America's largest and most important groups of physicians has moved to cut through the clutter of political controversies over medical use of marijuana. Lawmakers and the public alike would do well to pay attention.
MONTREAL -- Teenagers who report heavy alcohol use have reduced hippocampal volume, compared with their nondrinking peers, but those who combine marijuana with heavy drinking do not show these abnormalities, Susan Tapert, Ph.D., reported at the annual conference of the EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society.
Calling B.S. on the Idea of "Marijuana Addiction"
By Paul Armentano, AlterNetp
The U.S. government believes that America is going to pot -- literally.
My Opinion On Marijuana
by Joshua Giesegh
Why do I want it legalized?
There are many reasons. Also, no one has been able to give me a reason for illegalization that seemed logical and true to me.
First, I would really like to see gas around $1 a gallon again. But let’s go into the biggest push others want it for.
Everyone should have the right to make the safer choice. Cannabis can save the world - do the research .
August 15, 2007 - College Station, TX, USA
College Station, TX:
The enactment of state laws legalizing the medical use of cannabis is not associated with an increase in the drug’s recreational use, according to statistical data published in the International Journal of Drug Policy.
