NCJ Number
199913
Journal
Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: 2003 Pages: 53-65
Date Published
2003
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the increasingly widespread use of marijuana for medical purposes.
Abstract
The use of marijuana for medical purposes has been legalized in eight States: California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Nevada, Maine, Colorado, and Hawaii. The author discusses the extent of its’ use by surveying official patient registries, private patients’ groups, and physicians specializing in medical marijuana. At a minimum there are currently 35,000 people using marijuana for medical purposes in accordance with State laws. Five of the eight States operate an official registration program for medical marijuana users. The author estimated that approximately 3,400 patients are registered with these official programs. California has the highest concentration of medical marijuana users, with an estimated 30,000 patient users, despite its’ lack of an official registry. A growing number of physicians are recommending marijuana for a wide variety of medical purposes, ranging from chronic pain to AIDS and cancer. However, Federal law bars doctors from prescribing this Schedule I drug, which discourages many doctors from even recommending it as an option for their patients. Colorado and Nevada estimated that few of their doctors have experience with medical marijuana, perhaps as a result of fear of Federal punishment. On the other hand, a growing number of physicians in California have begun to specialize in medical cannabis treatment. However, patients continue to complain of the lack of physicians who have knowledge of cannabis treatments and are willing to recommend cannabis for their aliments. The author notes that the growing popularity of medical marijuana use and the wide range of conditions that are alleviated by marijuana refutes the current Schedule I classification of this drug. Table, references