Just read in my e-mail that the JAMA is urging caution on medical pot.

[Archae]

Because so far just about all they have is testimonials.

And in medicine, testimonials are worthless.

[MADem]

1. Well, it cuts into the kickbacks they get from Big Pharma.

Of course they're urging caution--they haven't found a way to patent and monetize weed!

[Archae]

4. I remember when laetrile first appeared.

It was touted by it's users as the greatest thing since sliced bread, now we know that it doesn't work.

That's why we should be cautious about medical pot claims.

Cautious.
Not dismissive.

[MADem]

6. I don't know anyone who is an "In place of" advocate.

But even Sanjay Gupta has reversed his MM hatred, and it's not like--unlike laetrile--weed hasn't been studied to death, and even by the USGovt, who grow the stuff themselves.

Marinol, anyone?

[tridim]

2. And Statins are just awesome! Thanks medicine! nt

[lordsummerisle]

3. Wow, i'm shocked

Shocked I tell you...

[kentuck]

5. Well....

There are no instructions about usage. It doesn't say once a day or anytime you feel you need it or every 4 hours....nothing.

So, like anything, it is possible to abuse it. I know that is hard to believe.

[Ruby the Liberal]

7. Until someone figures out how to patent it.

Like the US Government.

Oops...

[DocwillCuNow]

8. Side effects may include, nausea, headache, flatulence, sore muscles, joint pain, neuropathy,

difficulty breathing,sarcoidosis, (an over used House MD term), hypertension, blood clots, stroke, tumors, more tumors, feelings of euphoria, enlightment and arriving at a peaceful state. Most of these are not potential side effects however I'd bet they want you to think so.

[pleinair]

9. CBD oil was just approved in Illinois for children with epilepsy

CBD stands for cannabidiol. Here is a link to that story:
http://guardianlv.com/2014/07/illinois-legalizes-medical-marijuana-for-adults-and-children-with-epilepsy/

Naturally, nobody wants children to smoke anything, so they figured out a way to extract the medicinal component into an oil. It has puzzled me as an onlooker that medical marijuana would be prescribed in the smokable form. I feel this delivery method has many harmful side effects. Precision in dosages would be more easily measured if the active ingredients in marijuana were in in oil or liquid form. I'm not an expert, but it seems logical to be able to accurately measure what you're prescribing.

Here is a link to the JAMA article cited in the OP: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1874073