In 23 states, doctors can prescribe marijuana and there does seem to be studies that show some patients benefit. I think the medical community should be the ones deciding on the best course of treatment for the patient, not the government..
On that we can agree. But as far as I know, there is no known scientific studies that conclude pot has any medicinal effects. There are plenty of testimonies from patients, but no consensus as you have doctors on both sides of the aisle.
On its website The National Cancer Institute, part of the US department of health, said: "Laboratory and animal studies have shown that cannabinoids (the active ingredient in cannabis) may be able to kill cancer cells while protecting normal cells. There are several studies that do support the theory that cannabis is an effective treatment for some cancers. I think any treatment for cancer that has been shown to be effective or even partially effective should be available to doctors.
US government says cannabis kills cancer cells
The big word in this article is "May."
And perhaps you didn't read the article. Here is what it said at the end:
But researchers added: "At this time, there is not enough evidence to recommend that patients inhale or ingest cannabis as a treatment for cancer-related symptoms or side effects of cancer therapy."
In many US states where cannabis is already legal for medicinal use, cancer patients have long been using the drug to ease pain.
The Cancer Research charity reacted cautiously, saying there was no evidence of a similar effect in humans.
A spokesman said: "There isn't enough reliable evidence to prove that cannabinoids, whether natural or synthetic, can effectively treat cancer in patients, although research is ongoing around the world."
There are about 20 studies by well recognized medical research organizations that concluded that cannabis is effective at killing cancer cells. I'm not saying that there is any conclusive proof marijuana cures cancer but there is certainly a great deal of evidence that it can be effective. If a person can't tolerate other treatments, or marijuana is their last hope, it should be available to them. If they're dying of cancer and marijuana eases their journey I think it should be an option. However, this should be a decision between doctor and patient.
20 Medical Studies That Show Cannabis Can Be A Potential Cure For Cancer
Neuroprotection by Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, the Main Active Compound in Marijuana, against Ouabain-Induced In Vivo Excitotoxicity
British Journal of Cancer - Abstract of article: A pilot clinical study of [Delta]9-tetrahydrocannabinol in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme
Antitumor Effects of Cannabidiol, a Nonpsychoactive Cannabinoid, on Human Glioma Cell Lines
Pathways mediating the effects of cannabidiol on the reduction of breast cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. - PubMed - NCBI
Cannabidiol inhibits lung cancer cell invasion and metastasis via intercellular adhesion molecule-1. - PubMed - NCBI
The problem with using a narcotic that's not proven to cure or help anything only opens the door for people that want to use it for recreational value. From what I understand, in Colorado, they are getting doctors to prescribe pot for the stupidest things.
Okay, so why would people want prescribed marijuana instead of the stuff at the pot store? Because medical marijuana is much cheaper since you don't have to pay tax on it.
First off, the active ingredients in marijuana AREN'T narcotics, they are natural substances known as THC and CBD that occur in the cannabis plant. Those compounds can be extracted and used for various treatments. CBD's have been proven to be effective in helping children that have seizures, and has been able to help reduce them from several times a day to a couple times a month in many cases. The THC is effective for pain relief and appetite stimulation. And, the pain relief depends on the type of strain you use. If it's a Sativa, it will be a body high with a bit of a "brain buzz", and if it's an Indica it will have a pain relief quality and you will want to sleep, or at least just be still for a while. It has ZERO hallucinogenic properties (seeing hallucinations), that is a myth generated by the Reefer Madness people.
And no, doctors aren't giving out medical cards for the stupidest reasons. Can you provide proof of this?
As far as wanting medical marijuana, many people who have pain or other physical ailments prefer to get the stuff that comes in higher concentrations because it works better. The 420 shops in CO are divided into 2 sections, one for recreational and one for medical. Yes, the recreational is taxed at a higher rate than the medicinal is, but the medicinal is still taxed as well. And, if you are from out of state and cannot provide a CO ID, then you are taxed at an even higher rate than the CO residents.
Me? I've actually been to CO, and have visited many of the shops up there and talked to all the people, which is how I found out about much of the information on how they run things up there.
I was also a Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor in the U.S. Navy for the last 8 years of my career, and can verify that alcohol is much more damaging to the body than anything cannabis could ever do.
It would help if you got your facts straight. Posting Reefer Madness rhetoric (which has been long since proven to be false) is no way to sound like you understand what you're talking about.