New report finds benefits and risks of marijuana

Summary

The national report on marijuana's health effects, published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, reveals solid evidence supporting its use for chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and spasticity in MS patients. However, the report calls for more research on other conditions like epilepsy and PTSD. It also highlights risks, particularly concerning adolescent use and the potential gateway to more severe drugs, and the challenges in assessing risks due to self-reporting and the variety of cannabinoid chemicals in cannabis. Colorado's experience with legalization provides valuable insights, emphasizing the need for data collection and addressing issues like edibles' appearance and delayed effects.

Takeaways

• 📚 The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published a comprehensive report on the health effects of marijuana, examining over 10,000 studies.
• 🌿 The report indicates solid evidence that marijuana can help alleviate chronic pain, nausea from chemotherapy, and spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients.
• 🔍 There is a need for more research on the potential benefits of marijuana for conditions like epilepsy, PTSD, and anxiety.
• 🧠 The endocannabinoid system in the human body, which marijuana interacts with, plays a role in various functions including pain, mood, anxiety, immune response, and heart function.
• ⚠️ The report highlights risks associated with marijuana use, particularly concerning for adolescents, noting that earlier use correlates with greater concerns.
• 🚫 The debate on marijuana as a gateway drug continues, with the challenge being to determine if marijuana use leads to harder drugs or if certain personality types are predisposed to substance abuse.
• 📊 Colorado's experience with legalizing marijuana provides valuable data on the need for statistics and monitoring both before and after legalization.
• 🍬 The state has learned to regulate edible marijuana products to prevent accidental ingestion by children, changing their appearance to avoid resemblance to candy.
• ⏱️ Edibles can have delayed effects, which can lead to overconsumption and potential incidents if not properly understood, such as driving under the influence.
• 👨‍⚕️ Dr. John Lauk emphasizes the importance of understanding the pharmacological activity of marijuana and the endocannabinoid system for its potential benefits and risks.

Q & A

What is the significance of the report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on marijuana?

The report is significant as it is the most comprehensive review on the health effects of marijuana since 1999, examining over 10,000 studies and reflecting the current attitudes towards medical and recreational marijuana use in the United States.

Which conditions does the report suggest that marijuana can help alleviate in adults?

The report indicates that there is solid evidence supporting the use of marijuana to alleviate chronic pain, nausea from chemotherapy, and spasticity or muscle spasms in people with multiple sclerosis.

What is the endocannabinoid system and why is it relevant to the effects of marijuana?

The endocannabinoid system is a complex cell-signaling system in the body that plays a role in various functions such as pain, mood, anxiety, immune function, and reproductive function. Marijuana works on this system, which explains its pharmacological activity and potential health benefits.

What are some of the concerns raised in the report regarding marijuana use, especially among adolescents?

The report raises concerns about the use of marijuana during adolescence, noting that the earlier one starts using it, the greater the concern. The effects on the developing brain and the potential for marijuana to act as a gateway to more severe drugs are highlighted.

Why is it difficult to determine the exact risks associated with marijuana use according to the report?

Determining the exact risks is difficult due to the reliance on self-reporting, the presence of over a hundred different cannabinoid chemicals in cannabis, and the various ways in which people consume it.

What is the role of the endocannabinoid system in the body and why is it important for understanding marijuana's effects?

The endocannabinoid system is involved in a wide range of physiological processes, including pain, mood, and immune response. Understanding this system helps in comprehending how marijuana can have therapeutic effects as well as potential risks.

What are some of the areas where the report suggests more research is needed on marijuana?

The report identifies a need for more research on the effects of marijuana for conditions such as epilepsy, PTSD, and anxiety, where there is currently insufficient evidence.

What lessons can other states learn from Colorado's experience with legalizing marijuana?

Other states can learn the importance of gathering statistics to understand the impact of legalization, such as changes in drug use patterns and associated problems. Colorado's experience with edibles, like gummy bears and brownies, also highlights the need for regulations to prevent accidental ingestion and overconsumption.

How has Colorado addressed the issue of marijuana edibles resembling candy, especially for children?

Colorado has made changes to the appearance of marijuana edibles to ensure they do not resemble candy, especially to children, and has implemented regulations to prevent accidental ingestion.

What is the potential risk associated with consuming marijuana edibles like brownies, and how can it be mitigated?

The risk is that the effects of marijuana in edibles can take hours to be absorbed, leading to overconsumption if not understood. Mitigation involves educating consumers about the delayed effects and the importance of not consuming more before the initial dose takes full effect.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Comprehensive Review on Marijuana Health Effects

The video script begins with a discussion on a comprehensive report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on the health effects of marijuana, covering both medical and recreational use. The report, which is the most extensive since 1999, has reviewed over 10,000 studies. It highlights solid evidence supporting marijuana's effectiveness in treating chronic pain, nausea from chemotherapy, and spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients. However, it also points out the need for more research on other conditions such as epilepsy, PTSD, and anxiety. The report underscores the complexity of understanding the risks due to the variety of cannabinoids and methods of consumption, with a particular concern for adolescent use and the potential gateway to more severe drugs.

Keywords

💡Marijuana

Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant used for medical or recreational purposes. In the video, it is the central subject of a comprehensive health report examining both its medical benefits and potential risks. The script mentions that marijuana is used to alleviate chronic pain, nausea from chemotherapy, and spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients.

💡National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

This is a prestigious organization in the United States that provides expert advice on various scientific and technological matters. The video discusses a report published by this organization, which is the most comprehensive review on the health effects of marijuana since 1999, indicating a significant shift in societal attitudes towards the drug.

💡Chronic Pain

Chronic pain refers to pain lasting more than 12 weeks, often associated with long-term health conditions. The script highlights that there is solid evidence supporting the use of marijuana for alleviating chronic pain in adults, indicating one of the key medical benefits identified in the report.

💡Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells. The script mentions that marijuana can help with nausea associated with chemotherapy, showcasing its potential use in managing side effects of certain medical treatments.

💡Spasticity

Spasticity is a condition characterized by increased muscle stiffness or tightness, often experienced by individuals with neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis. The video script notes that marijuana has been found helpful in reducing spasticity, further emphasizing its therapeutic applications.

💡Epidemiology

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related conditions in populations. The script refers to the gathering of statistics in Colorado to understand the effects of marijuana legalization, which is an application of epidemiological methods to assess public health impacts.

💡Cannabinoid

Cannabinoids are a class of diverse chemical compounds that act on cannabinoid receptors in cells, which are part of the endocannabinoid system in the body. The script mentions over a hundred different cannabinoid chemicals in cannabis, highlighting the complexity of the plant's composition and its potential effects.

💡Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system is a cell-signaling system found in humans and other animals that plays a role in a variety of physiological processes including mood, pain, appetite, and immune function. The script discusses how marijuana works on this system, which is crucial for understanding its wide range of effects on the body.

💡Adolescence

Adolescence refers to the transitional stage of physical and psychological human development that occurs between childhood and adulthood. The video script raises concerns about the use of marijuana during adolescence, noting that early use may have greater risks, which is a significant public health consideration.

💡Self-Reporting

Self-reporting is the process by which individuals provide information about their own behaviors, experiences, or conditions. The script points out the challenges of determining the risks of marijuana use due to reliance on self-reporting, which can be unreliable and make scientific research more difficult.

💡Edibles

Edibles refer to food items infused with cannabis, which can be consumed for their psychoactive effects. The video script discusses the issues with edibles that resemble candy, which can be particularly concerning for child safety, and the need for regulations to prevent accidental ingestion.

Highlights

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published a comprehensive report on the health effects of marijuana.

The report is the most extensive review since 1999, reflecting the evolving attitudes towards the drug.

29 States and the District of Colombia currently allow some form of legal marijuana.

The panel examined over 10,000 studies for medical and recreational marijuana use.

There is solid evidence supporting marijuana's effectiveness in alleviating chronic pain in adults.

Marijuana can help with nausea from chemotherapy and spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients.

The report identifies a need for more research on marijuana's effects on epilepsy, PTSD, and anxiety.

Dr. John Lauk discusses the endocannabinoid system, a pharmacologically active system in the body.

The endocannabinoid system is linked to pain, mood, anxiety, immune function, and more.

The report outlines risks associated with marijuana use, particularly concerning adolescence.

The earlier the age of marijuana use initiation, the greater the concern for health implications.

The report raises questions about marijuana as a potential 'gateway drug'.

Self-reporting makes it challenging to determine the exact risks of marijuana use.

There are over a hundred different cannabinoid chemicals in cannabis.

Different forms and methods of consumption make scientific analysis difficult.

Colorado's approach to gathering statistics on marijuana use before and after legalization is highlighted as exemplary.

Issues with edible marijuana products resembling candy for children have been addressed.

The report warns about the delayed effects of edible marijuana, which can lead to overconsumption and potential accidents.

Transcripts

anyway we're taking a closer look this

morning at a sweeping report on the

health effects of marijuana the

nationaly of Sciences engineering and

Medicine publish a results yesterday

panel looked at Medical and recreational

use and examined more than 10,000

studies now this is the most

comprehensive review since 1999 well

before attitudes on the drug evolved and

today 29 States and the District of

Colombia allow some form of legal

marijuana our Dr John lauk is here he

joins us at the table welcome Dr so

there are 395 p to the report I can say

you're the only one at the table that's

read all 395 is true we're glad you did

that cuz now you can share what' you

learn what' you see well in terms of of

treatment there's pretty solid evidence

that can be helpful in alleviating uh

chronic pain in adults nausea from

chemotherapy and then spasticity or

muscle spasm and people with multiple

sclerosis they also looked at a whole

bunch of other things where there wasn't

quite adequate research they said we

need more research for things like

epilepsy you know

PTSD uh even anxiety were you surprised

that there are some clear health

benefits from marijuana not at all this

drug you know cannabis works on a system

in our body called the endoc canabo

system which is this amazing system that

we're just starting to scratch the

surface of it's important for all sorts

of things pain mood anxiety um even

immune function reproductive function uh

blood vessel heart I mean we're just

figuring out this is pharmacologically

active and uh it's not surprising to me

at all that you can manipulate the

system and get some benefits but it also

lays out the risks right yeah right

there there are risks and um you know I

spoke to two of the authors yesterday

and they pointed at it's so hard to

figure out exactly what the risks are

because a lot of this is based on

self-reporting there's a hundred more

than a hundred different uh cannabinoid

chemicals that are in cannabis and

people take it all sorts of different

ways but the bottom line was they were

most concerned or there one of the large

areas of concern was with adolescence

right the earlier you start using it the

greater the concern for

I'm asking this is it because of the

effect it has on your body or because

it's viewed in some cases as a start a

drug so you end up somewhere else in a

much more severe drug yeah this is a

million-dollar question and of course

the problem is figuring out is it people

who have that type of Personality they

would have gone on anyway or is it that

this is somehow a gateway to it and

again one of the problems is this all

the self-reporting we don't know exactly

what people are taking there's different

forms uh different ways of taking it and

it's hard to do the science I remember

your 60 Minutes report you went to

Colorado spent a lot of time there

looking at recreational drug use what do

you think Colorado has learned that

other other states need to know I I

think it's terrific what they're doing

there in terms of gathering statistics

first of all to find out you know where

are you at the beginning they say that

other states should do that before they

legalize and then find out what's

happening after legalization is there

are there more problems but very

specifically things like there were

problems with Edibles so some of these

Edibles look like little Gummy Bears

little Gummy yeah Brown gummy bears for

kids so they Chang it so it doesn't look

like candy and then brownies people have

to understand you eat a brownie it may

take a couple hours to get absorbed so

you say oh I'm fine have another browny

and then you a couple hours later it

kicks in you go out driving and there's

a big problem thank you John lauk