Health & Medicine
Two-Thirds of Doctors Agree: Medical Marijuana a Safe Option
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Apr 03, 2014 12:59 AM EDT
Of course, doctors don't know everything. But if you're on the fence about marijuana legalization, it's nice to know that two out of three give it the thumbs up.
Based on a survey conducted by Medscape between Feb. 25 and March 3, answers from 1,544 physicians from 12 different specialty areas showed that many doctors were more likely to look towards the benefits of the drug. In fact, findings show that 82 percent of oncologists and hematologists said patients could experience real benefits from medical marijuana, suggesting that those dealing with health issues like cancer and eye problems should have the drug as an option for pain relief and/or an appetite stimulant.
To add to this, The Huffington Post notes that in states where medical marijuana is not legal, half of the doctors surveyed said it should be made legal. However, more than half also did not support the legalization of recreational marijuana use.
A companion consumer survey conducted by WebMD also showed a similar stance in support of medical marijuana, based on the findings of 2,960 random visitors. However, 51 percent also said they did not support the recreational use of the drug.
Of course, there are many benefits to marijuana--whether you're using it medically or recreationally. Besides working as a pain reliever and/or appetite stimulant for sick individuals, it can also help to combat depression, opiate addiction, symptoms of epilepsy, and other health issues. To add to that, it might just help you relax a little more. However, other studies have suggested that it could harm long-term cognitive development and may even be addictive. And let's not forget about smoking and paranoia.
"Despite more than 20 years of anecdotal evidence about the medicinal effects of marijuana, doctors and consumers remain in search of answers," said Dr. Michael Smith, WebMD's chief medical editor, via CBS News.
What do you think?
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First Posted: Apr 03, 2014 12:59 AM EDT
Of course, doctors don't know everything. But if you're on the fence about marijuana legalization, it's nice to know that two out of three give it the thumbs up.
Based on a survey conducted by Medscape between Feb. 25 and March 3, answers from 1,544 physicians from 12 different specialty areas showed that many doctors were more likely to look towards the benefits of the drug. In fact, findings show that 82 percent of oncologists and hematologists said patients could experience real benefits from medical marijuana, suggesting that those dealing with health issues like cancer and eye problems should have the drug as an option for pain relief and/or an appetite stimulant.
To add to this, The Huffington Post notes that in states where medical marijuana is not legal, half of the doctors surveyed said it should be made legal. However, more than half also did not support the legalization of recreational marijuana use.
A companion consumer survey conducted by WebMD also showed a similar stance in support of medical marijuana, based on the findings of 2,960 random visitors. However, 51 percent also said they did not support the recreational use of the drug.
Of course, there are many benefits to marijuana--whether you're using it medically or recreationally. Besides working as a pain reliever and/or appetite stimulant for sick individuals, it can also help to combat depression, opiate addiction, symptoms of epilepsy, and other health issues. To add to that, it might just help you relax a little more. However, other studies have suggested that it could harm long-term cognitive development and may even be addictive. And let's not forget about smoking and paranoia.
"Despite more than 20 years of anecdotal evidence about the medicinal effects of marijuana, doctors and consumers remain in search of answers," said Dr. Michael Smith, WebMD's chief medical editor, via CBS News.
What do you think?
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone