Over the years, as well all know, medical marijuana has become a topic of intense debate and research. As more states and countries legalize its use, scientists continue to explore its potential benefits and risks. Today, we are going to delve into the latest studies on this controversial plant.
A study published in ScienceDirect titled “Blurred boundaries: the therapeutics and politics of medical marijuana”, reveals that the demographics of medical marijuana users are predominantly male and white1. This suggests a potential disparity in access or acceptance of medical marijuana across different demographics, an area that warrants further examination.
Another study, “Medical marijuana laws and adolescent marijuana use in the United States: A systematic review and meta‐analysis” published in the Wiley Online Library, investigates the impact of state marijuana policy implementation on marijuana use trends2. The study provides insights into how policy changes can influence societal behaviors, although it also highlights the need for more research on the long-term effects of these policies.
A large Canadian review of herbal cannabis, as outlined in “Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing”, found no increase in serious adverse events in chronic administration, nor harm on cognitive function, pulmonary function tests3. These findings challenge some common concerns about the safety of long-term cannabis use.
Interestingly, the study “PTSD symptom reports of patients evaluated for the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program” published on Taylor & Francis Online, explores the effects of cannabis on PTSD symptoms4. The study shows promising results, suggesting potential therapeutic uses for cannabis in treating PTSD. However, more extensive research is needed to confirm these findings and determine appropriate dosages and delivery methods.
The therapeutic potential of medical marijuana is further highlighted in a study titled “Do medical marijuana laws reduce addictions and deaths related to pain killers?”5. This research, also published in ScienceDirect, found that medical marijuana laws reduce the daily doses filled for opioid analgesics among Medicare Part-D and Medicaid enrollees, as well as population-wide opioid overdose deaths. This suggests that medical marijuana might offer a safer alternative for pain management.
“Medical Marijuana–Exploring the Concept in Relation to Small Scale Cannabis Growers in Denmark1”, a chapter in a book published by Taylor & Francis, sheds light on the perception of medical marijuana amongst users6. Most participants in the study reported positive experiences, with a few citing issues with short-term memory.
In a retrospective cross-sectional survey of patients with chronic pain titled “Medical cannabis use is associated with decreased opiate medication use”, there was a notable decrease in opiate medication use amongst those who used medical cannabis7. This finding supports the idea that cannabis might be used as an alternative to more harmful substances.
However, it’s not all positive news. The study “The impact of marijuana policies on youth: clinical, research, and legal update”, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, found that states with medical marijuana laws reported higher rates of marijuana use in 12- to 17-year-olds8. This could potentially indicate an increased risk of substance misuse amongst adolescents in areas where marijuana is legalized.
Lastly, in a report titled “Adverse health effects of non-medical cannabis use” published in The Lancet, it’s suggested that the use of cannabis during adolescence and into adulthood can have adverse effects9. Associations between cannabis use and mental health disorders were established, emphasizing the importance of careful regulation and education.
In conclusion, the latest research into medical marijuana reveals a complex picture. While there’s growing evidence of potential therapeutic benefits, particularly for conditions like chronic pain and PTSD, there are also valid concerns about misuse, particularly amongst adolescents, and potential adverse health effects. As medical marijuana use continues to expand, it’s crucial that research keeps pace to ensure that policies and practices are based on solid scientific evidence.
Footnotes
- (Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025619611000218) ↩
- (Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/add.14136) ↩
- (Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0953620518300049) ↩
- (Source: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2013.873843) ↩
- (Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167629617311852) ↩
- (Source: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315546285-6/medical-marijuana-exploring-concept-relation-small-scale-cannabis-growers-denmark1-helle-vibeke-dahl-vibeke-asmussen-frank) ↩
- (Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1526590016005678) ↩
- (Source: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/135/3/e769/75418) ↩
- (Source: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(09)61037-0/fulltext?cc=y=}) ↩