Date: January 2000

The recent issue of BMJ published a paper calling for a more rationale debate on the use of cannabis. For over a decade there have been anecdotal and clinical reports on the usefulness of cannabis preparations in treating conditions like nausea, glaucoma, and multiple sclerosis. However, the debate on the use of cannabis in treating illness has often been obstructed because the media present a forced choice between two sets of views, authors suggest. One of these constructed views is that cannabis is harmless when used recreationally, is therapeutically useful, and hence should be legalized. The other is that recreational use is harmful to health and that cannabis should continue to be prohibited for recreational or therapeutic purposes. The authors of the paper emphasize that this oversimplification effectively prevented a more rationale examination of eight conceptually separate issues they propose:

[1] what is the importance of the different types of cannabis product composition, presentation, and usage_

[2] what evidence is there of physical damage from long term use_

[3] what evidence is there of psychological or psychiatric (acute and chronic) consequences_

[4] how widespread is dependence on cannabis and how important is this_

[5] is cannabis a "gateway" drug and what is the importance of this_

[6] do some cannabinoids have therapeutic potential and how best can this be used_

[7] to what extent, and in what ways, is fitness to drive compromised by cannabis use, and for how long_

[8] what can be learned from experiences with cannabis control policies in other countries_

Source: MS-Highlights