Some people suffer from chronic, debilitating disorders for which no conventional treatment brings relief. Can marijuana ease their symptoms? Would it be breaking the law to turn to marijuana as a medication? There are few sources of objective, scientifically sound advice for people in this situation. Most books about marijuana and medicine attempt to promote the views of advocates or opponents. To fill the gap between these extremes, authors Alison Mack and Janet Joy have extracted critical findings from a recent Institute of Medicine study on this important issue, interpreting them for a general audience. Marijuana As Medicine? provides patientsâ€"as well as the people who care for themâ€"with a foundation for making decisions about their own health care. This empowering volume examines several key points, including: Whether marijuana can relieve a variety of symptoms, including pain, muscle spasticity, nausea, and appetite loss. The dangers of smoking marijuana, as well as the effects of its active chemical components on the immune system and on psychological health. The potential use of marijuana-based medications on symptoms of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and several other specific disorders, in comparison with existing treatments. Marijuana As Medicine? introduces readers to the active compounds in marijuana. These include the principal ingredient in Marinol, a legal medication. The authors also discuss the prospects for developing other drugs derived from marijuana's active ingredients. In addition to providing an up-to-date review of the science behind the medical marijuana debate, Mack and Joy also answer common questions about the legal status of marijuana, explaining the conflict between state and federal law regarding its medical use. Intended primarily as an aid to patients and caregivers, this book objectively presents critical information so that it can be used to make responsible health care decisions. Marijuana As Medicine? will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, health care providers, patient counselors, medical faculty and studentsâ€"in short, anyone who wants to learn more about this important issue.

Significant changes have taken place in the policy landscape surrounding cannabis legalization, production, and use. During the past 20 years, 25 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis and/or cannabidiol (a component of cannabis) for medical conditions or retail sales at the state level and 4 states have legalized both the medical and recreational use of cannabis. These landmark changes in policy have impacted cannabis use patterns and perceived levels of risk. However, despite this changing landscape, evidence regarding the short- and long-term health effects of cannabis use remains elusive. While a myriad of studies have examined cannabis use in all its various forms, often these research conclusions are not appropriately synthesized, translated for, or communicated to policy makers, health care providers, state health officials, or other stakeholders who have been charged with influencing and enacting policies, procedures, and laws related to cannabis use. Unlike other controlled substances such as alcohol or tobacco, no accepted standards for safe use or appropriate dose are available to help guide individuals as they make choices regarding the issues of if, when, where, and how to use cannabis safely and, in regard to therapeutic uses, effectively. Shifting public sentiment, conflicting and impeded scientific research, and legislative battles have fueled the debate about what, if any, harms or benefits can be attributed to the use of cannabis or its derivatives, and this lack of aggregated knowledge has broad public health implications. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids provides a comprehensive review of scientific evidence related to the health effects and potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis. This report provides a research agendaâ€"outlining gaps in current knowledge and opportunities for providing additional insight into these issuesâ€"that summarizes and prioritizes pressing research needs.

"This book does not take a position on whether expanded legal use of non-medical cannabis should continue. It seeks to provide a consolidated source for the evidence, issues, challenges, and experiences with legalized cannabis for non-medical use and the lessons learned from America's long history with alcohol and tobacco control. It seeks to provide guidance for those who are and will continue to be in positions to struggle with the issue of cannabis control"--

Cannabis is a preference that should involve many considerations. Education and advice is everywhere we turn. Problem is, not all of us are getting Cannabis advice from knowledgeable experts who regularly recommend Cannabis compounds to people. This book covers many topics that often go unspoken, but it does not provide dosage recommendations for any specific medical conditions. This book is designed to provide logical consideration; not medical advice. Life is life and every one of us should have the freedom to home grow Cannabis. In life, all humans are patients who will encounter various forms of deterioration and pain in every stage of their life. With that in mind, Cannabis compounds are always something to consider because we should all expect to encounter pain and potential diseases throughout our life. We all manage our personal pain and diseases according to our personal navigation of life. Many people still think that Cannabis should be avoided completely, but not everyone realizes the list of substances and illnesses that we do avoid when Cannabis is pursued effectively. We should all consider ourselves candidates for Cannabis compounds. Strict religious beliefs are the only excuse not to, but even religious people should no longer deny that consuming Cannabis is extremely beneficial for treating actual diseases and deteriorations throughout the body. Medical professionals should be prescribing Cannabis to most of us. If someone believes psychoactive effects would not be “good” for them, well, not all compounds are psychoactive. There are Cannabis compounds that are considered non-psychoactive and those specific compounds can be used to provide targeted benefits to any system in the body. Cannabis might not cure every condition completely, but it can effectively prevent, cure or improve most pains and deterioration that we will be likely to encounter somewhere between our early stages of development and old age. People of all ages and cultures have confirmed that medical benefits exist whether Cannabis is recreational, medical or totally criminalized. Knowledgeable medical professionals do NOT provide anti-Cannabis advice to anyone unless there is a very specific need to do so. Projecting known lies about Cannabis is manipulative, corrupt and sometimes intentionally ignored completely. Once you recognize the reality of Cannabis, it should become very easy to recognize that people providing anti-Cannabis advice become instantly invalid the moment they begin to discredit the reality of Cannabis for people who have received guidance from medical professionals. Anti-Cannabis advice is typically based on religious ideology; not logic. This book is a great solution for helping us better understand our own pursuits of Cannabis. This book is also a great option for medical professionals to share with their patients who would benefit by Considering Cannabis during their existence. I look forward to learning what follow-up Cannabis advice I might provide in the future, but for now, I am extremely optimistic for the potential impact of this book.

The most comprehensive and approachable book available on understanding and using medical marijuana. Revised and updated with the latest information on varietals, delivery, dosing, and treatable conditions, Cannabis Pharmacy is "a well-designed and -illustrated and easy-to-use resource"(Booklist) for those considering medical marijuana as a treatment option. In Cannabis Pharmacy, expert Michael Backes offers evidence-based information on using cannabis to treat an array of ailments and conditions. He provides information on how cannabis works with the body's own system, how best to prepare and administer it, and how to modify and control dosage. This newly revised edition is now completely up-to-date with the latest information on the body's endocannabinoid system, which is understood to control emotion, appetite, and memory. Delivery methods including e-cigarette and vape designs are also covered here, along with information on additional varietals and a new system for classification. Cannabis Pharmacy covers more than 50 ailments and conditions, including anxiety, ADHD, Depression, Gastrointestinal disorders, Insomnia, Menopause, Migraine, Pain, PTSD, and more, that can be alleviated with marijuana.

Marijuana legalization is a controversial and multifaceted issue that is now the subject of serious debate. In May 2014, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin signed a bill requiring the Secretary of Administration to produce a report about various consequences of legalizing marijuana. This resulting report provides a foundation for thinking about the various consequences of different policy options while being explicit about the uncertainties involved.

Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know(R) provides readers with a non-partisan primer covering everything from the risks and benefits of using marijuana to what is happening with marijuana laws around the world. This book serves as the price of admission for any serious discussion about marijuana legalization.