THE FINNISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS MEDICAL CANNABIS

Duodecims theme issue presents a purely medical view of the narcotics
situation. This has never been done before, said Pekka Heinala, one of
those responsible for the special issue. He is a psychiatrist and
psychotherapist working for the Alchohol Research Authority. He asserts
it is high time for self criticism in the area of abuse treatment.

Matti O. Huttunen points out the double morality surrounding cannabis in
his article. A critical examination of the available research shows
that the negative effects of cannabis use have been greatly exaggerated.

If policy was determined purely according to health risks, it would perhaps
be tobacco and alcohol that were illegal, it was said at the press
conference yesterday.

The doctors are not encouraging cannabis use, but are presenting a more
nuanced picture. It was also said yesterday that cannabis has possible
therapeutic effects in the treatment of cancer and HIV - it can possibly
reduce pain and feelings of nausea.

Heinala said further that there is probably no connection between cannabis
use and schizophrenia, which has been the subject of research by Sweden and
other countries. On the other hand cannabis can lead to psychotic reactions
in sensitive persons and seems to give symptoms earlier to those who would
develop schizophrenia anyway.