Pubdate: Thu, 20 Aug 2015
Source: Coast, The (CN NS)
Copyright: 2015 Coast Publishing
Contact:  http://www.thecoast.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3170
Author: Lachlan MacDonald
Page: 6

THE BULLSHIT CULTURAL MILIEU OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA

It's sad to see The Coast contributing to this.

There is a bullshit cultural milieu surrounding the use of cannabis.
The general perception seems to be that marijuana is not only a
completely harmless substance, but actually a panacea capable of
alleviating/curing a vast array of medical conditions. However, its
use is hindered by mean, moralistic politicians who are kept in the
back pockets of nefarious pharmaceutical interests. This perception
would be fine if cannabis was a completely harmless substance with a
wide array of medicinal uses, as has been intimated in The Coast's
recent story about the PEACE EAST festival (August 13), but it is not.
It is sad to see an article pandering to these poorly formed ideas
rather than engaging in substantive journalism.

There is a developing body of knowledge on the benefits and
consequences of cannabis use based on (gasp!) rigorous scientific
evidence. An editorial attached to a systematic review and
meta-analysis published by the Journal of the American Medical
Association in June lays it out nicely. Cannabis use can be beneficial
in specific situations (treating nausea and vomiting secondary to
chemotherapy; specific pain syndromes and spasticity from multiple
sclerosis), but other than that, the evidence for medical use is
scant. These areas deserve further study to determine proper doses of
the specific compounds involved, so they can be properly regulated and
effectively applied. Until there is rigorous scientific evidence
indicating otherwise, all other medicinal uses of cannabis appear to
be nonsense.

There are several consequences of cannabis use, including the
well-documented increased risk of the development of a psychotic
disorder in those individuals who are vulnerable. For people who
develop psychosis in the context of cannabis use, the severity of the
disorder is increased and overall outcomes are reduced. The earlier
and more frequent the cannabis use, the worse off things go,
generally. There is also emerging evidence that cannabis use in
adolescents interferes with brain development (actually changing the
size/ shape/structure of the brain), with long-term effects on
cognition, behaviour, affect and neurochemical functioning, even once
use has ceased. Cannabis use in adults over the age of approximately
25 does not carry this risk-it is related specifically to stages of
brain development happening during adolescence/ early adulthood. Which
is, sadly, when many people begin sustained cannabis use.

As well, one in 10 people who use cannabis develop a substance use
disorder. (People generally find this idea laughable, because cannabis
not "addictive" in the way something like an opioid is. But ask anyone
with a gambling disorder whether something that is not physiologically
addictive can cause significant life problems.) Cannabis use also has
a negative impact on other mental health issues, as it becomes an easy
way to escape feelings of depression and anxiety. This avoidant
behaviour tends to entrench those negative experiences. Every time you
avoid things that trigger your depression or anxiety, you strengthen
those mental phenomena.

Catering to poorly informed ideas about marijuana use can have serious
implications. Given this, it is sad to see The Coast contributing to
the bullshit cultural milieu we inhabit.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt