Pubdate: Sat, 18 May 2013
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
Copyright: 2013 Journal Sentinel Inc.
Contact: http://www.jsonline.com/general/30627794.html
Website: http://www.jsonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265
Author: Gary Storck

MARIJUANA HAS HEALTH BENEFITS

Health care professionals report America is suffering an epidemic of 
obesity and diabetes. What if a widely used substance could prevent 
and maybe "cure" diabetes? There is, and cannabis is that substance.

In a new study published in the American Journal of Medicine, "The 
Impact of Marijuana Use on Glucose, Insulin, and Insulin Resistance 
among U.S. Adults," researchers studied 579 current cannabis users 
and 1,975 past users. In multivariable adjusted models, current 
marijuana use was associated with 16% lower fasting insulin levels 
and 17% lower insulin resistance levels. Researchers also found 
significant associations between marijuana use and smaller waist 
circumferences.

Other recent studies have also found cannabis use beneficial for 
other conditions. Israeli researchers concluded smoking cannabis 
caused a "complete remission" of Crohn's disease compared to placebo 
in half the patients in a study to be published by the journal 
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Kaiser Permanente researchers looking at bladder cancer concluded 
cannabis use only was associated with a 45% reduction in bladder 
cancer incidence, while tobacco use only was associated with a 52% 
increase in bladder cancer.

These studies only add to the overwhelming evidence that marijuana 
prohibition is not just a colossal failure but also a 
counterproductive fraud. Repeal would not only save billions in 
criminal justice system costs but, as these studies suggest, save 
billions in health care costs as well.

Gary Storck Co-founder Is My Medicine Legal YET? Co-founder/past 
president Wisconsin and Madison NORML Madison
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom