Analysis of the medical use of marijuana and its societal implications.
Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association January 1, 1998 H G Taylor
Marijuana's most prominent effects are mediated by brain receptors, causing acute intoxication with euphoria, short-term memory loss, sensory stimulation, and impaired linear thinking, along with adverse effects like depersonalization, panic attacks, increased heart rate, and reddened conjunctivae. Chronic high doses may subtly impair cognitive abilities long-term, though the duration is unknown. Marijuana is a risk factor for those with underlying mental illness and causes dependence, but has less addictive power than cocaine, alcohol, heroin, or nicotine, with mild withdrawal. It shows clinical promise for glaucoma, nausea and vomiting, analgesia, spasticity, multiple sclerosis, and AIDS wasting syndrome. As a recreational drug, it poses dangers, especially to adolescent development, but should be available medically for patients unresponsive to current therapies.