Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
If you suffered from a chronic, debilitating disorder for which no conventional treatment brought relief, would you consider trying marijuana? How could you determine whether or not it might ease your symptoms? Would you be breaking the law? For people facing such difficult decisions, there are few sources of objective, scientifically sound advice. Most books on medical marijuana, for example, have been written either by its advocates or its opponents. To fill in the gap between these extremes,authors Alison Mack and Janet Joy have extracted critical findings from a recent Institute of Medicine study on marijuana as medicine, interpreting these resultsfor a general audience. Medical Marijuana provides patients, as well as the people who care for them, with a reliable foundation for making decisions about their health care. This important book examines several key points, including: How marijuana appears to soothe a variety of symptoms, including pain, muscle spasticity, nausea and appetite loss. The dangers of smoking marijuana, as well as the harmful effects of its active chemical components on the immune system and on psychological health. The potential use of marijuana-based medications on symptoms of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis and several other specific disorders, in comparision with existing treatments. Medical Marijuana introduces readers to the active components in marijuana, including information on the principle ingredient in Marinol, a legal medication. The prospects for developing other marijuana-based pharmaceuticals are also discussed. In addition to providing an up-to-date review of the science behind the medical marijuana debate, the authors answer common questions about the legal status of marijuana, explaining the conflict between state and federal law reqarding its medical use. They also explore the social implications of using marijuana for medical purposes. Inteded primarily as an aid to patients and caregivers, this book objectively presents critical information so that it can be used to make responsible health care decisions. Medical Marijuana will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, health care providers, patient counselors, medical facility and students, advocates for and opponents of medical marijuana learn more about this important issue.
Synopsis
Some people suffer from chronic, debilitating disorders for which no conventional treatment brings relief. Can marijuana ease their symptoms? Would it be breaking the law to turn to marijuana as a medication?
There are few sources of objective, scientifically sound advice for people in this situation. Most books about marijuana and medicine attempt to promote the views of advocates or opponents. To fill the gap between these extremes, authors Alison Mack and Janet Joy have extracted critical findings from a recent Institute of Medicine study on this important issue, interpreting them for a general audience.
Marijuana As Medicine? provides patients--as well as the people who care for them--with a foundation for making decisions about their own health care. This empowering volume examines several key points, including:
- Whether marijuana can relieve a variety of symptoms, including pain, muscle spasticity, nausea, and appetite loss.
- The dangers of smoking marijuana, as well as the effects of its active chemical components on the immune system and on psychological health.
- The potential use of marijuana-based medications on symptoms of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and several other specific disorders, in comparison with existing treatments.
Marijuana As Medicine? introduces readers to the active compounds in marijuana. These include the principal ingredient in Marinol, a legal medication. The authors also discuss the prospects for developing other drugs derived from marijuana's active ingredients.
In addition to providing an up-to-date review of the science behind the medical marijuana debate, Mack and Joy also answer common questions about the legal status of marijuana, explaining the conflict between state and federal law regarding its medical use.
Intended primarily as an aid to patients and caregivers, this book objectively presents critical information so that it can be used to make responsible health care decisions. Marijuana As Medicine? will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, health care providers, patient counselors, medical faculty and students--in short, anyone who wants to learn more about this important issue.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction -- 2. Can marijuana help? -- 3. How harmful is marijuana -- 4. Marijuana and pain -- 5. Marijuana and AIDS -- 6. Marijuana and cancer -- 7. Marijuana and muscle spasticity -- 8. Marijuana and neurological disorders -- 9. Marijuana and glaucoma -- 10. Pharmaceuticals from marijuana -- 11. Legal issues -- 12. Marijuana's medical future.