In a historic shift, the conservative American Medical Association has just voted to reverse its long held position that marijuana has no medical value; the group is also planning to entirely review it current cannabis policy. During a meeting in Houston this week, the AMA’s House of Delegates adopted a new position which demands that:
“Marijuana’s status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines, and alternate delivery methods.”
AMA Urges More Cannabis Research
A report drafted by the AMA Council on Science and Public Health (CSAPH) entitled, “Use of Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes” has also been adopted by the group. This study affirms the many therapeutic benefits of marijuana, and articulates the urgent need for much more scientific research on cannabis. The CSAPH report has concluded that:
“…short term controlled trials indicate that smoked cannabis reduces neuropathic pain, improves appetite and caloric intake, especially in patients with reduced muscle mass, and may relieve spasticity and pain in patients with multiple sclerosis.”
As a cancer patient who has greatly benefited from medical marijuana, this is excellent news. This monumental progressive AMA policy shift is a very positive step for medical cannabis research, as wellas for safe access for all medical marijuana patients.
This is a photo of my stapled abdomen shortly after my cancer surgery last month.
About Rhonda Winter
[...] mom with two kids”, who has struggled with two bouts of cancer, and only recently came to see medical marijuana as possible [...]