Even the few physicians in favor of marijuana caution against declaring it 'medicine,' as medicine implies highly rigorous criteria are defined to establish its efficacies in addition to side effects prior to use. Though some people do use it as medicine, most studies have compared marijuana to placebos, NOT other medications. When some make claims that it treats dozens and dozens of illnesses and symptoms, one should be suspicious. If it's too good to be true, it probably is.

​

Marijuana DOES need to be studied because it has hundreds of compounds (like CBD) and possible interactions, the full medicinal effects of which we don't understand. Many drug compounds are derived from plants, tested and evaluated. Cautiously allowing marijuana to be used in a few medicinal cases with the care and oversight of a physician is very different than allowing an entire 'recreation' industry to be built in which people self-medicate from supplies coming out of your neighbor's back yard.

​

An excellent 2017 evaluation by the National Academy of Medicine provides very useful information on today's medical knowledge of marijuana (and prudently notes many of its harms). 

​

Many marijuana advocates have glossed over the many real health risks and the unsuspecting public have taken heed. Here is a neonatal intensive care unit physician in Colorado who frequently has to tell new mothers (who thought it was "no big deal") that their babies were just born with marijuana THC in their system:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVhxN2UKwiA

​