A century ago, all western physicians were knowledgeable about cannabis.  It was a common medicine mostly used in extracts and tinctures.  Doctors prescribed it as a sedative, a pain reliever and to stimulate appetite. Before that Chinese and Indian doctors used (and still do use) the plant.  But since 1937, when marijuana was basically outlawed, doctors have shied away from offering it.  The American Medical Society(AMA), the largest physician group in the US,  has long-held the position that marijuana was a schedule one drug—that it had no medical applications.  This week, they changed that stance and have declared that cannabis has medicinal benefits. Their as yet unpublished report declares,

“…short term controlled trials indicate that smoked cannabis reduces neuropathic pain, improves appetite and caloric intake especially in patients with reduced muscle mass, and may relieve spasticity and pain in patients with multiple sclerosis.”

One of the report’s expert reviewers, Sunil Aggarwal, Ph.D.,  explains that they are hoping “to educate the medical community about the scientific basis of botanical cannabis-based medicines.”

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Thanks to Safe Access.