So far, 28 states and the District of Columbia have approved the use of medical marijuana. Very likely in the next few years, more states will be added to this number by following suit giving their blessing for a substance once considered a gateway drug to harder illegal drugs.

But what does research say on how effective medical marijuana is?  Does it help and if so, how?

 Medical marijuana is primarily used for pain such as for headaches, cancer or for a long-term condition like glaucoma or nerve pain.  The FDA has also approved THC, a key ingredient in marijuana, to treat nausea for conditions such as vomiting related to chemotherapy or to improve appetite. 

However, concerns arise since the uses of medical marijuana have not been subjected to the kind of rigorous testing generally required for a pharmaceutical.  This does not mean it does not have any benefits but that it lacks human studies to really say definitively if medical marijuana helps. 

How does medical marijuana work?

Derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, marijuana contains more than 100 chemical compounds called cannabinoids.  When ingested or inhaled, these compounds bind to specific receptors in brain and nerve cells which slow pain impulses easing discomfort.  What give people a “high” is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.  Both THC and cannabidiol are the two most prevalent compounds found in marijuana.  In addition, our bodies already make marijuana-like chemicals that affect pain, inflammation, and many other processes which marijuana can sometimes help those natural chemicals work better. 

Why is there lack of research for medical marijuana?

The reason why medical marijuana has been difficult to research is because it is still classified as a Schedule I substance meaning it has a high risk for abuse and lacks any accepted medical use. To be studied in a clinical trial, it requires registration by the researchers and their institution and approval by the Drug Enforcement Agency.  This amounts to a very slow process of any kind of study being approved. 

Of the studies that have been done on medical marijuana, they are primarily from animal experiments or observational studies which rely on people’s willingness to report they are using marijuana, which many do not want that information to be known. 

One research study published in 2015 in The Journal of the American Medical Association looked at almost 80 trials involving almost 6,500 people.  Most of the studies did suggest that medical marijuana did bring some relief for some symptoms but the findings were inconsistent. There was some moderate evidence to support the use of marijuana for treating chronic pain but evidence was lacking for its use for sleep disorders or Tourette syndrome or to reduce nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy.   

How do doctors prescribe it?

When a doctor prescribes medical marijuana, they are usually prescribing it if they feel it is a viable treatment option for the condition needing attention.  The dosage prescribed will vary depending on why a person needs it.  As an example, 2 to 3 milligrams of marijuana may be given two to four times a day to help prevent nausea and vomiting.

Medical marijuana does have an advantage compared to many other medications in that it can be prescribed in a variety of ways.  The fastest way to get effects from it is to smoke it but smoking marijuana can have the same health risks as smoking a cigarette.  Generally doctors will prescribe marijuana to be taken in the form of a capsule, inhaling vapors or consuming it in food or tea.

What are the risks of taking medical marijuana?

When it is prescribed for short term use, it is generally safe.  But there are side effects associated with its use which include the following:

·      Dizziness

·      Dry mouth

·      Nausea and vomiting

·      Fatigue and drowsiness

·      Euphoria

·      Disorientation

·      Confusion

·      Loss of balance

·      Hallucination

·      Heart and blood pressure problems

 Another consideration is that the potential benefits one expects to receive can vary from one person to another and can be influenced by medical history and family predisposition.  In addition, Medicare and other insurance carriers do not cover medical marijuana. 

Even if you live in a state that has passed legislation legalizing the use of medical marijuana, a recent study has found 9 out of 10 doctors are unprepared to prescribe it.  Eighty-five percent stated they had not received any education on the use of medical marijuana as it is rarely discussed in medical schools.

The best advice at this time is until more information is known on the safety and effectiveness of medical marijuana, is to not get caught up in the haze and push of state after state legalizing a substance we still have a lot to learn about.