Another expert admitted he had not kept up new medical or scientific information on marijuana for over 18 years. Another doctor claimed there was voluminous medical research on the effectiveness of marijuana, but under oath, when asked to cite the number of the studies, he replied 'I would doubt very few.' (Use of Marijuana as "Medicine).
On the other side of the issue is where the scientific evidence comes in. .
Science has ruled against the use of marijuana as a medicine. Major medical and health organizations have concluded that smoking marijuana is not safe nor effective as a medicine. Organizations against the use of marijuana include: The American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society, National Sclerosis Association, the American Glaucoma Association, American Academy of Opthalmology, National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Dental Research, and the National Institute on Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as well as countless nationally recognized medical experts, researchers, and scientists. Rebecca S. Finley, PharmD, states "We really don't know how safe marijuana is for long-term use. Like alcohol, it's a mind-altering drug. It impairs people. We don't have enough scientific information at this point to make it available as a legal medication" (Lacayo). .
Marijuana is more harmful than helpful. There are over 10,000 studies available documenting the harmful physical and psychological effects of smoking marijuana. .
The harmful consequences include, but are not limited to, premature cancer; addiction; coordination and perception impairment; and a number of mental disorders, including depression, hostility, increased aggressiveness, general apathy, memory loss, reproductive disabilities, impairment to the immune system, numerous airway injuries, and other general problems associated with intoxication. (Use of Marijuana as a "Medicine").
