Preliminary Evidence Says Cannabis is Medicine, Says Surgeon General
The Surgeon General is the chief spokesman on public health matters in the United States. It makes sense that his suggestions should be taken very seriously. On the February 4th, 2015, episode of CBS This Morning, United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy briefly discussed his thoughts on medicinal cannabis.
After talking about the recent measles outbreak, Dr. Murthy was asked about his position on medicinal cannabis. He said he was interested in where the science was going, and that the preliminary research indicates it is useful for some conditions. While his statement was short, it implies that there is a medical use for cannabis, and that the Schedule I categorization is not fit.
certain medical conditions, and symptoms, that (sic) marijuana can be helpful. So I think that we have to use that data to drive policy making.
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy
It is important to realize that it is not just preliminary cell and animal studies that show cannabis has benefits. Double-blind, peer-reviewed studies have shown the whole plant or cannabidiol successfully treats epilepsy, social anxiety, pain, schizophrenia, and more.
Dr. Murthy said we should use data to drive policy making. If that is truly what he believes, then cannabis should be immediately rescheduled and its use allowed for at least those conditions where trials have proven efficacy. At best, cannabis should be available to anyone who it could possibly benefit, including for preventative purposes.
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