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Bluelight Crew
Medical marijuana may be a controversial issue among politicians, but doctors overwhelmingly agree that it can be beneficial for patients, according to a new survey in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The survey finds that 76 percent of doctors in the U.S. and 78 percent of doctors internationally would personally prescribe medical marijuana to a fictional 68-year-old woman with deteriorating cancer.
In commentary published along with the survey, researchers explained the reasoning that most respondents provided for their support of medicinal cannabis. “Many [respondents] pointed out the known dangers of prescription narcotics, supported patient choice, or described personal experience with patients who benefited from the use of marijuana,” wrote the authors. Studies have shown that medical marijuana can relieve pain, ease nausea, and promote appetite, making it a promising treatment option for Americans with painful or chronic medical conditions such as cancer.
Not all surveyed physicians agreed with that assessment. Doctors opposed to prescribing medical marijuana cited “the lack of evidence [of effectiveness], the lack of provenance, inconsistency of dosage, and concern about side effects, including psychosis.” Many were also concerned that they didn’t know where the supply would be coming from, and therefore couldn’t assess its safety.
cont. http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/06/03/2090941/doctors-would-prescribe-medical-marijuana/
The survey finds that 76 percent of doctors in the U.S. and 78 percent of doctors internationally would personally prescribe medical marijuana to a fictional 68-year-old woman with deteriorating cancer.
In commentary published along with the survey, researchers explained the reasoning that most respondents provided for their support of medicinal cannabis. “Many [respondents] pointed out the known dangers of prescription narcotics, supported patient choice, or described personal experience with patients who benefited from the use of marijuana,” wrote the authors. Studies have shown that medical marijuana can relieve pain, ease nausea, and promote appetite, making it a promising treatment option for Americans with painful or chronic medical conditions such as cancer.
Not all surveyed physicians agreed with that assessment. Doctors opposed to prescribing medical marijuana cited “the lack of evidence [of effectiveness], the lack of provenance, inconsistency of dosage, and concern about side effects, including psychosis.” Many were also concerned that they didn’t know where the supply would be coming from, and therefore couldn’t assess its safety.
cont. http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/06/03/2090941/doctors-would-prescribe-medical-marijuana/
