The United States’ new Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, indicated that medical cannabis can help some patients and the measles vaccine is safe and effective.

Dr. Murthy, who is making history as the youngest surgeon general and the first to be of Indian descent, discussed the safety of the measles vaccine and his views on medical marijuana as he joined CBS This Morning for his first on-camera interview since his position as surgeon general was confirmed, CBS News reported.

Murthy’s words could increase pressure on the Justice Department to redesignate marijuana, Reuters‘ Ian Simpson reported via Business Insider.

Marijuana (cannabis) is listed as a Schedule I drug on the DEA’s website. Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD, ecstasy, methaqualone, and peyote.

Methamphetamine, cocaine, oxycodone (OxyContin), fentanyl, Ritalin, Adderall, and Dilaudid are examples of schedule II narcotics.

Schedule III drugs include codeine, Vicodin, ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone. Schedule IV drugs include Xanax, Darvocet, Valium, Ambien, Ativan, Talwin, Darvon, and Soma.

In the CBS interview, the surgeon general indicated that the medical effectiveness of marijuana had been exhibited scientifically and much more information about it was en route. He went on to say that we have “some preliminary data” which shows “marijuana can be helpful” for some medical conditions and symptoms.

“We have some preliminary data showing that for certain medical conditions and symptoms, marijuana can be helpful […] I think we have to use that data to drive policy making, and I’m very interested to see where that data takes us.”

Twenty-three states, including Washington, D.C., have legalized medical marijuana, RT reported. The report indicated that the federal government’s Schedule I classification of cannabis under the Controlled Substance Act means that the plant has “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”

In regards to America’s top doctor’s recently expressed view on marijuana, The Hill tweeted the following the following to their more than half a million Twitter followers.

It's 4:20 on the East Coast; do you know how YOUR surgeon general feels about marijuana? http://t.co/2Z0tUknAPl pic.twitter.com/iu9bTE9dte — The Hill (@thehill) February 4, 2015

Murthy indicated to CBS that we must “see what the science” tells us about “the efficacy of marijuana” and that he thinks we’re going to obtain “a lot more data on that.”

Universities seeking federal research funding or federal financial aid to study cannabis are out of luck due to its Schedule I drug classification. However, researchers at places like John Hopkins School of Medicine are researching the effects marijuana has on those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), RT indicated in a report.

In related marijuana news on Inquisitr, a new scientific study has proven that smoking marijuana does not kill brain cells. Also, if you haven’t heard, there’s a new social networking app for stoners called “High There!” that looks to connect like-minded potheads, and Letroy Guion was arrested with a bunch of cash, some pot, and a gun.

What do you think of Vivek’s comments on the measles vaccine and marijuana?

[Image via Wikipedia]