Marijuana - Yes, No, or Maybe?

Last week I read a couple of interesting, short articles on this topic, marijuana used by MSers. It has long been a controversial topic, and I have written about it before.

Medical marijuana in one form or another - pills, cannibis, hemp, mouth spray - has been a topic of discussion for years in many medical communities, including MS. A small number of MSers embrace this alternative treatment while the government stands firmly against it.

The first article highlighted a travel writer, Rick Steves, who is partnering with the ACLU to get the laws governing medical marijuana reviewed. More than 800,000 people are arrested for marijuana possession each year, and a hefty number of those use it as an alternate treatment to ease a chronic or painful condition.

Coincidentally, another article was published the same day. In it a new trial introduces a reason for second thoughts. Results of a small study indicate that marijuana when taken by MSers may cause cognitive problems. When combined with MS, marijuana may exaggerate depression and other emotional issues. In an interview with researchers last year, both Dr. Bruce Cree of University of California in San Francisco and Dr. Olajide Williams of Columbia University in NY cautioned against abusing the drug.

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