distributed it and held patents for medicines containing cannabis. It was outlawed by the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 and less commonly used thereafter.
In 1996 California voters passed Proposition 215, which was the first state law to allow patients a legal right to use medical marijuana. Since then many other states have passed similar legislation by voter initiative or the legislative process. In 2009 the US Congress lifted a ban, allowing Washington DC residents legal access to medical marijuana.
In the same year, the United States Department of Justice under the Obama Administration issued a directive for federal enforcement to cease prosecution of those operating in compliance with state law. This was a sea change in policy, after more than a decade of controversial federal enforcement.
A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
Currently several countries, including the Netherlands, Canada, Spain, and Italy allow marijuana to be prescribed in its plant form. The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Physicians
(ACP), the worldâs largest organizations of physicians, have called for the rescheduling of marijuana studies to explore its medical benefits. Medical organizations across the globe have endorsed the medical benefits of marijuana, and it is once again emerging as a legitimate therapy in medical circles.
California and other states have marijuana dispensing collectives, or dispensaries, where patients can access their medicines in a clean and safe environment. Patients continue to gain safe access to these medicines while medical professionals, patient activists, and concerned citizens continue to break down the barriers of decades of misinformation, and allow the truth about the benefits of marijuana to come to light. Legal, political, and social changes continue to evolve within the medical marijuana landscape.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA, DOCTORS, AND YOU
How does a patient know if medical marijuana is right for his condition? It is always best to consult with a doctor about taking any medication; cannabis is no different. Because of the limited research or negative bias, it may be difficult to find a doctor supportive of marijuana therapies. If your physician seems to have a knee-jerk negative response it may be worthwhile to get a second opinion. In states where medical marijuana is allowed there are doctors who specialize in this area of alternative medicine. Seeking out a doctor who is knowledgeable about the benefits of medical marijuana will help you clearly understand if this treatment may help with your condition.
While marijuana is not beneficial for everyone, it has improved the quality of life for many patients. Marijuana is not a cure for any disease or illness. Like most medicines, it increases comfort levels and helps to regulate a condition so a patient can be more productive in daily life. Cannabis can benefit a number of afflictions because of its ability to decrease certain kinds of pain, stimulate appetite, decrease spasms and seizures, and normalize dietary regiments. Deciding whether to use marijuana medicines should be a decision based on whether the effect of the medicine helps you function more normally and helps you cope with the symptoms of the conditions.
CONDITIONS MARIJUANA CAN HELP
⢠Cancer and Chemotherapy Treatment: Cannabis is effective in curbing nausea and increasing the appetite of patients experiencing the harsh side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. It can also reduce the pain associated with the disease.
⢠HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS patients often experience wasting syndrome from the disease and the multitudes of medicines used to combat it. Marijuana stimulates their appetite allowing them to eat more regularly, as well as helping them to ease the pains associated with the disease itself.
⢠Pain Afflictions: Research shows that cannabis is a safe and effective treatment for a variety of pain related afflictions, including deep tissue pains, muscle and
In 1996 California voters passed Proposition 215, which was the first state law to allow patients a legal right to use medical marijuana. Since then many other states have passed similar legislation by voter initiative or the legislative process. In 2009 the US Congress lifted a ban, allowing Washington DC residents legal access to medical marijuana.
In the same year, the United States Department of Justice under the Obama Administration issued a directive for federal enforcement to cease prosecution of those operating in compliance with state law. This was a sea change in policy, after more than a decade of controversial federal enforcement.
A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
Currently several countries, including the Netherlands, Canada, Spain, and Italy allow marijuana to be prescribed in its plant form. The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Physicians
(ACP), the worldâs largest organizations of physicians, have called for the rescheduling of marijuana studies to explore its medical benefits. Medical organizations across the globe have endorsed the medical benefits of marijuana, and it is once again emerging as a legitimate therapy in medical circles.
California and other states have marijuana dispensing collectives, or dispensaries, where patients can access their medicines in a clean and safe environment. Patients continue to gain safe access to these medicines while medical professionals, patient activists, and concerned citizens continue to break down the barriers of decades of misinformation, and allow the truth about the benefits of marijuana to come to light. Legal, political, and social changes continue to evolve within the medical marijuana landscape.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA, DOCTORS, AND YOU
How does a patient know if medical marijuana is right for his condition? It is always best to consult with a doctor about taking any medication; cannabis is no different. Because of the limited research or negative bias, it may be difficult to find a doctor supportive of marijuana therapies. If your physician seems to have a knee-jerk negative response it may be worthwhile to get a second opinion. In states where medical marijuana is allowed there are doctors who specialize in this area of alternative medicine. Seeking out a doctor who is knowledgeable about the benefits of medical marijuana will help you clearly understand if this treatment may help with your condition.
While marijuana is not beneficial for everyone, it has improved the quality of life for many patients. Marijuana is not a cure for any disease or illness. Like most medicines, it increases comfort levels and helps to regulate a condition so a patient can be more productive in daily life. Cannabis can benefit a number of afflictions because of its ability to decrease certain kinds of pain, stimulate appetite, decrease spasms and seizures, and normalize dietary regiments. Deciding whether to use marijuana medicines should be a decision based on whether the effect of the medicine helps you function more normally and helps you cope with the symptoms of the conditions.
CONDITIONS MARIJUANA CAN HELP
⢠Cancer and Chemotherapy Treatment: Cannabis is effective in curbing nausea and increasing the appetite of patients experiencing the harsh side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. It can also reduce the pain associated with the disease.
⢠HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS patients often experience wasting syndrome from the disease and the multitudes of medicines used to combat it. Marijuana stimulates their appetite allowing them to eat more regularly, as well as helping them to ease the pains associated with the disease itself.
⢠Pain Afflictions: Research shows that cannabis is a safe and effective treatment for a variety of pain related afflictions, including deep tissue pains, muscle and
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