A SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ON THE EFFECTS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA

WASHINGTON -- Research indicates that the active ingredients of marijuana
can be helpful in treating an array of medical conditions. Here is a summary
of findings from recent studies of the medical use of marijuana:

Pain relief.

Three studies on cancer pain have shown that THC, an active component of
marijuana, is as effective as codeine in reducing pain. The studies also
showed that THC curbed nausea and enhanced feelings of well-being. Marijuana
compounds are most likely to help with problems of chronic pain caused by
cancer, nerve damage or AIDS. Studies on acute pain, surgical pain and
migraine headaches have been less conclusive.

Nausea in cancer patients.

Marijuana components can reduce the nausea and vomiting associated with
chemotherapy, but clinical trials show they are not as effective as newly
introduced antinausea drugs.

For patients who do not respond to standard therapy, marijuana may be a good
alternative. Smoked marijuana is preferred by some patients because pills
are difficult to keep down when nauseated and do not act as quickly.

Wasting in AIDS patients.

The standard treatment of appetite stimulants has not proven successful in
patients who rapidly lose weight.

Marijuana is a promising treatment for wasting because it helps control
nausea, appetite loss, pain and anxiety.

For this reason, it may also prove useful to counter malnutrition in
terminal cancer patients.

THC is not recommended to treat anorexia nervosa, because it could affect
underlying psychiatric disorders such as depression that may contribute to
the disease.

Multiple sclerosis.

There is some evidence that marijuana compounds can reduce spasticity, but
more proof is needed.

THC might help patients with multiple sclerosis, who can suffer from intense
and lengthy muscle spasms. There is little evidence to suggest marijuana can
aid movement disorders such as Huntington's chorea or Parkinson's disease.
Epilepsy. Despite anecdotal reports that marijuana controls epileptic
seizures, there is little evidence to support this.

Alzheimer's disease.

One study showed THC improved appetite and reduced disturbed behavior in
patients, suggesting more studies should be done.

Glaucoma.

Marijuana and THC reduce the eyeball pressure that increases risk of
glaucoma and blindness, but the effect lasts only a few hours and requires
high doses.

Other treatments, including topical drugs and surgery, are more effective.