Medical Marijuana

In an episode of HBO’s Entourage, Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon) schedules an appointment with a doctor recommended by Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) to be evaluated for medical marijuana—not because he wants the marijuana itself, but because he wants a hat that is sold at one of the facilities.  The doctor suggests a number of possible medical conditions that would warrant the prescription, but Johnny doesn’t take the bait.  Finally, he admits that he sometimes feels anxious.  Finally, Johnny gets the card for an “anxiety disorder” and can legally enter the dispensary.  By making light of this politically charged topic, the episode highlights the debate surrounding medical marijuana in California.  But what are the advantages and disadvantages of using marijuana for the treatment of various medical conditions?

What medical problems can marijuana treat?

A report called “Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base” from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) indicates that marijuana can be successfully used for “pain modulation, control of movement, and memory.”  Additionally, marijuana tends to stimulate the appetite and may be helpful for patients who have lost weight or are experiencing malnutrition from appetite loss due to health problems.  Most commonly, marijuana is used for treating AIDS wasting or the nausea that can result from chemotherapy for cancer patients, but, as the Entourage episode suggests, it has also been used for many other conditions as well.

What are the concerns about expanding marijuana’s use to more medical conditions?

The IOM report lists a number of possible problems associated with the use of marijuana for medical purposes.  First, and perhaps most importantly, the benefits of marijuana in the treatment of certain conditions must be weighed against the possible risks and complications that it can cause. Most studies have evaluated the risks and benefits of smoked marijuana, which has more profound affects on the lungs and respiration than ingesting marijuana in other ways. When smoked chronically, marijuana has been linked to lung damage, pregnancy concerns, and cancers (Read Marijuana Abuse and Testicular Cancer: Recent Findings).  There is also some evidence to suggest that even short-term marijuana use can suppress the immune system, which is clearly problematic for patients with conditions like AIDS and cancer who have compromised immune systems anyway. Second, the psychological effects can vary depending on the patient; for some, the experience is positive with sedation, anxiety reduction, and euphoria resulting.  But others may experience undesirable effects including disorientation and negative feelings (in addition to physical effects like decreased psychomotor ability). Third, long-term use of marijuana can lead to physical dependence; when a patient who is dependent on marijuana attempts to stop using it, withdrawal symptoms like cramps, mood disturbances, nausea, and sleep problems may occur.  An association has been found between marijuana use and certain disorders including behavioral disorders and anti-social personality disorder.  Finally, there is some concern that marijuana may be a stepping stone (i.e., a “gateway drug”) for users to begin experimenting with more potent illicit substances. 

How can I help someone who is addicted to marijuana?

If someone you know has continued using marijuana after a doctor has advised them to stop or if their life has been negatively impacted by their use, call eDrugRehab today (1-866-902-0610) and ask how we can help with an intervention or placement in a rehab.