A new scientific review in The Open Neurology Journal questions cannabis’ place as a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act.

Reviewers from the University of California at San Diego and the University of California, Davis went over several recent clinical trials on the safety and effectiveness of cannabis.

“Evidence is accumulating that cannabinoids may be useful medicine for certain indications,” the review concluded. “Control of nausea and vomiting and the promotion of weight gain in chronic inanition are already licensed uses of oral THC (dronabinol capsules). Recent research indicates that cannabis may also be effective in the treatment of painful peripheral neuropathy and muscle spasticity from conditions such as multiple sclerosis. Other indications have been proposed, but adequate clinical trials have not been conducted.

“… The classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug as well as the continuing controversy as to whether or not cannabis is of medical value are obstacles to medical progress in this area. Based on evidence currently available the Schedule I classification is not tenable; it is not accurate that cannabis has no medical value, or that information on safety is lacking. It is true cannabis has some abuse potential, but its profile more closely resembles drugs in Schedule III (where codeine and dronabinol are listed). The continuing conflict between scientific evidence and political ideology will hopefully be reconciled in a judicious manner.”

Dr. Igor Grant was the lead author of the review, and he is director of the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, which has done several FDA-approved ‘gold standard’ clinical trials on cannabis.

The fact is the federal government is the only entity left holding on to this ridiculous fantasy that cannabis has no medical value. And in the meantime they are hurting millions of patients by restricting access and research.

Source: http://blog.norml.org