Cannabis - what is it good for?

While cannabis (marijuana) is still classified as a Schedule I drug at the federal level, meaning it has no legitimate medical use and a high potential for abuse, the same is not true at the state level. Forty states plus the District of Columbia allow licensed health professionals to prescribe cannabis products for medical use.

(24 states allow recreational use of cannabis – no prescription required.)

One consequence of the federal classification is that the NIH is not allowed to fund studies of medical marijuana use, and this has greatly limited good research on such use. Despite this, 27% of U.S. adults have tried marijuana at least once for medical purposes.

There are FDA-approved cannabis-like products (dronabinol, nabilone) which are approved for nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy and for severe anorexia due to HIV/AIDS. Another, cannabidiol, is approved for rare pediatric seizure disorders. That, according to the FDA, is that.

Advocates, however, claim that cannabis can do wonders for just about every ailment. Are any of these claims valid?

Chronic pain is a common reason for cannabis use, and a recent study found that chronic pain patients using narcotics were able to reduce their narcotic use after using cannabis. Certainly marijuana is less dangerous than narcotics.

Most of the other reasons cannabis is used have limited or no good data supporting this use. Anxiety may improve but may get worse. Cannabis is used for insomnia, but the sleep it induces is often poor quality. Some PTSD sufferers report help.

Inhaled marijuana lowers eye pressure, but this effect wears off within a few hours, making it of minimal benefit for glaucoma.

Migraines, inflammatory bowel disease and fibromyalgia are often treated with cannabis, but again, there is little solid evidence of lasting benefit.

Why not “just give it a try”?

Cannabis is not harmless. Acute side effects include heart racing, drop in blood pressure, dizziness, impaired coordination and slowed reaction time. Driving after cannabis use is as bad as driving under the influence of alcohol.

With chronic use, particularly daily use, there is evidence that cannabis increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Use by adolescents and young adults is associated with cognitive defects and lower IQ scores in adulthood. Regular users can have a severe vomiting illness requiring emergency department visits. Susceptible individuals can develop psychosis and/or increased anxiety.

If you are considering using cannabis for a medical condition, discuss it with your doctor. If what you have been using is not working, there may be better options. Marijuana should be a last choice, not your first.


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