Medical Cannabis Facts

 

1. 1.Since 1996, thirteen states have authorized medical cannabis use: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ME, MD, MT, NV, OR, VT, RI, and WA.
   

2. 2.80% (eighty percent) of Americans think adults should be able to use cannabis legally for medical purposes.
   Source: Time CNN Poll conducted October 2002 among 1,007 adults.  Margin of error is +-3%    
   

3. 3.The Institute of Medicine’s 1999 report on medical cannabis stated, "The accumulated data indicate a potential therapeutic value for cannabinoid drugs, particularly for symptoms such as pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting, and appetite stimulation."
   Source: Janet E. Joy, Stanley J. Watson, Jr., and John A. Benson, Jr., "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base, " Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Research Institute of Medicine (Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1999).
   

4. 4.The Institute of Medicine’s 1999 report on medical cannabis found that there are no convincing data to support the concern that medical use of cannabis would lead to an increase of cannabis use in the general population. The report also noted that, " this question is beyond the issue normally considered for medical uses of drugs, and should not be a factor in evaluating the therapeutic potential of cannabis or cannabinoids."
   Source: Janet E. Joy, Stanley J. Watson, Jr., and John A. Benson, Jr., "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base, " Division of Neuroscience and Behavioral Research Institute of Medicine (Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1999).
   

5. 5.In spite of the established medical value of cannabis, doctors are presently permitted to prescribe cocaine and morphine – but not cannabis.
   Source: The controlled Substances Act of 1970, 21 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq.
   

6. 6.Organizations that have endorsed medical access to cannabis include:
   The Institute of Medicine
   American Academy of Family Physicians
   American Bar Association
   American Public Health Association
   American Society of Addiction Medicine
   AIDS Action Council
   California Academy of Family Physicians
   California Medical Association
   California Nurses Association
   California Pharmacists Association
   Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church
   Consumer Reports Magazine
   Kaiser Permanente
   The American Union of Hebrew Congregations
   

7. 7.The Controlled Substance Act states that any person can be imprisoned for up to one year for possession of one cannabis cigarette and imprisoned for up to five years for growing a single cannabis plant, regardless of whether it is for medical use.
   Source: The Controlled Substance Act of 1970, 21 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq.
   

8. 8.The DEA’s Administrative Law Judge, Francis Young concluded: "In strict medical terms marijuana is far safer than many foods we commonly consume. For example, eating 10 raw potatoes can result in a toxic response. By comparison, it is physically impossible to eat enough marijuana to induce death. Marijuana in its natural form is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man. By any measure of rational analysis marijuana can be safely used within the supervised routine of medical care."
   Source: US Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency, "in the Matter of Marijuana Rescheduling Petition," [Docket #86-22], (September 6, 1988), p. 57.
   

9. 9.The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 established five categories, or "schedules," into which all illicit and prescription drugs were to be placed, depending on their dangers and benefits. Cannabis was placed in Schedule I, with the toughest restrictions, by congress, without relying on scientific studies.
   Source: The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 21 U.S.C. §§ 801 et seq.; Common Sense for Drug Policy, Compendium of Reports, Research and Articles Demonstrating the Effectiveness of Medical Marijuana, Vol. I & Vol. II (falls Church, VA: Common Sense for Drug Policy, March 1997).