Question: What Symptoms Might be Treated with Medical Marijuana?
I live in California, which is one of 14 states that have an active medical marijuana program. I've met many people who have obtained a prescription from a physician for medicinal marijuana; some of them patients of mine who are suffering with a terminal illness, and others are seemingly healthy individuals who suffer with migraines or arthritis. The uses for medical marijuana are varied and there are few guidelines for physicians to follow.
Answer: The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) noted the following symptoms or conditions under Appendix IV of their November 2002 report titled "Descriptions of Allowable Conditions under State Medical Marijuana Laws":
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Anorexia
- AIDS
- Arthritis
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Crohn's Disease
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV
- Migraine
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Nausea
- Pain
- Spasticity
- Wasting Syndrome
Regulations also vary by state. For more information on medical marijuana by state, visit the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) website.
Source: US Government Accountability Office (GAO) November 2002.
