Marijuana as medicine? : the science beyond the controversy / Alison Mack, Janet Joy for the Institute of Medicine.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mack, Alison.

Contributor:

Joy, Janet E. (Janet Elizabeth), 1953-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Marijuana--Therapeutic use.

Marijuana.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (215 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, c2001.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Some people suffer from chronic, debilitating disorders for which no conventional treatment brings relief. Can marijuana ease their symptoms? Would it be breaking the law to turn to marijuana as a medication? There are few sources of objective, scientifically sound advice for people in this situation. Most books about marijuana and medicine attempt to promote the views of advocates or opponents. To fill the gap between these extremes, authors Alison Mack and Janet Joy have extracted critical findings from a recent Institute of Medicine study on this important issue, interpreting them for a general audience. Marijuana As Medicine? provides patients-as well as the people who care for them-with a foundation for making decisions about their own health care. This empowering volume examines several key points, including: Whether marijuana can relieve a variety of symptoms, including pain, muscle spasticity, nausea, and appetite loss. The dangers of smoking marijuana, as well as the effects of its active chemical components on the immune system and on psychological health. The potential use of marijuana-based medications on symptoms of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and several other specific disorders, in comparison with existing treatments. Marijuana As Medicine? introduces readers to the active compounds in marijuana. These include the principal ingredient in Marinol, a legal medication. The authors also discuss the prospects for developing other drugs derived from marijuana's active ingredients. In addition to providing an up-to-date review of the science behind the medical marijuana debate, Mack and Joy also answer common questions about the legal status of marijuana, explaining the conflict between state and federal law regarding its medical use. Intended primarily as an aid to patients and caregivers, this book objectively presents critical information so that it can be used to make responsible health care decisions. Marijuana As Medicine? will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, health care providers, patient counselors, medical faculty and students-in short, anyone who wants to learn more about this important issue.

Contents:

Cover

Front Matter

Acknowledgments

Contents

Preface

Marijuana, Medicine, and Science I

Introduction 1

Can Marijuana Help? 2

How Harmful Is Marijuana? 3

Medical Marijuana and Disease II

Marijuana and Pain 4

Marijuana and AIDS 5

Marijuana and Cancer 6

Marijuana and Muscle Spasticity 7

Marijuana and Neurological Disorders 8

Marijuana and Glaucoma 9

Medical Marijuana in Context III

Pharmaceuticals from Marijuana 10

Legal Issues 11

Marijuana's Medical Future 12

index.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0-309-18553-X

0-309-50386-8

OCLC:

53401363