Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain syndrome, is hard to treat and impossible to cure. With pain so debilitating, patients may wonder about trying medical marijuana to ease their discomfort.

The American Chronic Pain Society says in ACPA Medications & Chronic Pain, Supplement 2007: "Some states allow the legal use of marijuana for health purposes including pain, while the federal government continues to threaten physicians with prosecution for prescribing it."

Scientific studies have shown that THC may help to decrease chronic pain in patients with Fibromyalgia. In addition, most Fibromyalgia patients who have tried medicinal marijuana for symptoms including: pain, depression, and insomnia report that medical marijuana is effective and has few side effects.

Six million Americans suffer from this chronic condition. There is no known cure and no known cause. However there are many factors involved. It may be triggered by an emotional or traumatic event. The condition is a neuro-chemical process. There is no inflammation associated.

Diagnosis criteria: diffuse pain in 3 or more quadrants of body, and tender points in body (18 total tender points – patient must have 11 present).

Researchers think it may be related to a disordered sleep pattern and poor exercise.