Facts About and Perspectives on Medical Marijuana

What are your thoughts on the supposed benefits of medical marijuana? Do you think it should be legalized? I don’t know how to wade through all the information out there.

ANSWER:

These questions are frequently asked as more and more states legalize the use of marijuana (cannabis) for medical purposes. The answer is not simple, and there are several important points to consider. However, at a minimum, we believe that a great deal of caution is in order.

When people think about marijuana as medicine, an appropriate question to ask is whether it is “good medicine.” Does it provide medical benefits? Is it safe? Are there other established treatments that can provide the same desired benefits? Are there moral concerns to using marijuana medicinally? Can medical use lead to recreational-only use?

Does marijuana provide any medical benefits?

For decades, marijuana reportedly has been a source of relief from nausea, poor appetite, glaucoma, and certain forms of pain — and there is evidence that it can help some individuals in some cases.

More recently, CBD oil has been suggested as an anti-seizure treatment. It has also been considered as therapy for a host of other ailments (although evidence to support these claims is limited). CBD, or cannabidiol, is a component of marijuana that does not appear to affect mental state in the way that the main component of cannabis, THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, does.

Yet, one of the main problems in being able to judge whether marijuana is an effective treatment is that most of the available evidence is anecdotal. The research on medical benefits of marijuana is sparse and mostly of low quality — sometimes even contradicting popularly held beliefs. For example, rather than alleviating nausea, in some long-term heavy users, marijuana actually increases nausea, resulting in a condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.

Is marijuana safe?

As with any drug, the question of medical marijuana’s safety is not a question of absolute safety but one of benefits versus risks. (That said, it’s obvious that certain modes of marijuana consumption, such as smoking, are not healthy.)

While there’s not a wealth of data on the medical benefits of marijuana, there is a tremendous body of information that details the problems associated with marijuana use. The physical, psychological, cognitive, and social problems of marijuana use — short-term and long-term — are significant. Likewise, marijuana’s potential as a “gateway drug” leading to stronger drug use is also concerning, especially if used for recreational purposes.

Another problem regarding medical marijuana is that it’s impossible for consumers to know exactly what they’re getting. Because of the difference in plant strains and growing conditions, each “lot” of cannabis contains different amounts of various compounds. Some compounds may cause a particular effect, some appear to do nothing, and some may be toxic at varying levels.

Do treatments other than marijuana provide the same benefits?

Because of uncertainties surrounding benefits, risks, and product quality, the question naturally arises whether other treatment options are available that don’t rely on marijuana.

For example, anti-nausea drugs already exist that can help cancer patients deal with nausea and appetite loss. For those who don’t respond to those drugs, dronabinol may be helpful. Dronabinol contains a synthetic form of the main active compound (THC) found in marijuana.

Proponents of medical marijuana claim that some patients don’t respond to existing drugs but do respond to marijuana, and that medical marijuana should be available for those individuals. Nevertheless, there is no condition for which medical marijuana is considered a first-line therapy.

Are there moral concerns about marijuana’s psychotropic effects?

Marijuana’s psychotropic effects are a matter of moral concern to many people. If medical marijuana can get you “high,” doesn’t that make it inherently bad? Let’s consider two points.

Using marijuana to get high

First, a number of conventional, non-controversial therapies (such as morphine and even some allergy medicines) have effects on consciousness and awareness — yet we don’t consider them morally impermissible when used properly to treat certain health conditions. In the same way, medical marijuana shouldn’t be seen as morally problematic based on psychotropic effects alone.

However, the Bible instructs that we should not become drunk. While this mandate refers specifically to alcohol, we believe the principle extends to other substances. Therefore, we believe that using marijuana for purposes that are not primarily therapeutic but simply to “get high” are morally prohibited.

Using marijuana in appropriate medical contexts

A second consideration is that not all strains and preparations of medical marijuana have the same effect on consciousness. Some marijuana derivatives (such as CBD oil) are even touted as having little or no psychotropic effect.

Marijuana’s potential for abuse (a very real problem, despite arguments to the contrary) isn’t necessarily a cause for moral objection if marijuana is used in an appropriate context. After all, we don’t forbid the use of opioids even though they have enormous potential for abuse.

We believe the moral objection to medical marijuana diminishes when patients use marijuana if other tried and tested forms of therapy have not worked — and when recommended by an ethical, responsible physician. What concerns us is the fact that these conditions are not met by many patients who currently use marijuana (supposedly for medical purposes).

What about legalizing marijuana for recreational use?

An additional consideration in the medical marijuana debate is that many proponents of legalized medical marijuana have an ultimate goal to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

We certainly don’t diminish the suffering of people dealing with conditions for whom medical marijuana is proposed as a treatment (including individuals with cancer, glaucoma, and chronic pain).

However, we can’t overlook the fact that many people attempt to legalize medical marijuana as a foot-in-the-door approach to legalizing recreational marijuana — and that’s a no-win situation for society. (You can read more about why we oppose the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.)

Again, while there’s not a lot of information about the medical benefits of marijuana, there is a great deal of research showing the problems marijuana poses to individuals and to society. While the debate about medical marijuana is likely to continue, we urge great caution where the issue of legalization is concerned.

We’re here to help

We realize you might have a more personal reason for asking your questions, either for yourself or for a loved one. We’re here to talk with you in more detail about concerns you might have.

Call Focus on the Family’s counseling staff for a free consultation at 1-855-771-HELP (4357). Our team can suggest next steps and refer you to qualified counselors and Christian professionals in your area for ongoing support. In the meantime, we urge you to look through the resources and referrals listed below.