Cannabis is no longer under the spell of "reefer madness", after decades of state sponsored propaganda to demonize one of the safest and most useful plants on the planet.
In the USA, 57% of people agree that cannabis shouldn't be illegal, while only 37% see it the other way. Ten years ago only 32% wanted legalization with 60% opposed. Things are definitely shifting in the public awareness. High times ahead for cannabis!.
Currently, 20% of the US population live in states that voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use, with even more who live in medical marijuana states. The National Academies of Sciences released a report today that is the most comprehensive study of recent research on cannabis use, both for the health effects of recreational and therapeutic use.
They reviewed research since 1999 from top universities, with more than 10,000 studies which allow them to arrive at conclusions about cannabis. The report details the current state of evidence regarding the health impacts of cannabis and cannabis derived products. The mentioned some potential health risks related to cancers, diseases and mental health disorders. Further research is still required to verify these initial claims.
"The policy has outpaced science, and it’s really too bad" said Staci Gruber, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and director of the Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery program at McLean Hospital.
Politically motivated and biased judgments on cannabis have led the political and legal domains to run against reality, to create an evil where there was none.
Cannabis has been around for thousands of years, yet there are man-made products that have been around for only years or decades that have a lot more research conducted on its safety and benefits. It's time science got more interested and help to dispel the false reputation around cannabis created through the media and government propaganda.
The findings in the report are categorized into two general levels of certainty: 1) "conclusive evidence" and 2) "limited evidence", with varying degrees of certainty in between.
For example, while there is evidence that driving while intoxicated can increase the risk of a car accident, there is also evidence that introducing medical cannabis to an area lowers crash rates.
Here are 11 key findings that Business Insider pulled out:
Conclusive are substantial evidence that cannabinoids can be effective to treat chronic pain. This is noted as the most common reason for requesting medical marijuana. There is also substantial evidence for the treatment of muscle spasms, and preventing or treating nausea and vomiting.
Evidence exists that marijuana can increase the risk of a car crash.
Evidence exists that children are more likely to consume cannabis accidentally in states that provide legal access to marijuana. The risk is minute, at 1.2 to 2.3 children per 100,000. Children eating crayons or diaper cream are still more likely.
Moderate evidence with a good amount of data to support it, that cannabis is not connected to increasing lung, head or neck cancers associated with smoking.
No evidence supports or refutes an idea that cannabis might increase the risk of heart attacks, although there is some limited evidence that smoking might trigger heart attack.
Substantial evidence that smokers are more likely to experience chronic bronchitis. Just like cigarettes, stopping improves these conditions. The is no evidence to support the cannabis does or doesn't increase other respiratory conditions like asthma.
Limited evidence that smoking cannabis can provide anti-inflammatory activity.
Substantial evidence linking prenatal cannabis exposure and lower birth weight. Limited evidence suggests an increase in pregnancy complications and the possibility of the newborn having to go to the neonatal intensive care unit.
Substantial evidence of an increased risk for developing schizophrenia for frequent users. Those who are already at risk should take greater concern with the use of cannabis.
Limited evidence connecting cannabis use to impaired academic achievement. This has been shown to be especially true for those who begin smoking during adolescence which increases the risk of problematic use.
Far more research is needed, is one of the most important conclusions that the report emphasizes. Areas that indicate marijuana was connected to an increased risk doesn't mean marijuana actually caused that risk.
The political and legal barriers are still in place that are preventing more research from being conducted. Researchers often can't get access to some other cannabis that many people actually use. Federal regulations prevent researchers from using a product that is legal in some states. And the Catch-22 is without better research, the policymakers are left to support the existing legislation because there is not enough evidence to reverse it, even though the original legislation was created through ignorance.
What has been learned in recent years, but the report really emphasizes the need for more studies so that more can be understood on what works and what doesn't work with cannabis.
The report emphasizes that they aren't trying to say cannabis is good or bad, but simply present the facts of what it does.
References:
- 11 findings from one of the most comprehensive studies ever on marijuana's health effects
- Massive scientific report on marijuana confirms medical benefits
- Vast Review Of Cannabis Research Finds Medical, Legal Answers -- And Lack Thereof
- The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research
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