Marijuana and health

Abstract

A 22-member committee appointed by the institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences has concluded a 15-month study of the health-related effects of marijuana. This committee, chaired by Arnold S. Relman, MD, editor of the New England Journal of Medicine, analyzed the existing scientific evidence bearing on the possible hazards to the health and safety of users of marijuana; analyzed data concerning the possible therapeutic value and health benefits of marijuana; and drew conclusions from their review, assessing the limits of present knowledge concerning marijuana. The scientific evidence published to date indicates that marijuana has a broad range of psychological and biological effects, some of which, at least under certain conditions, are harmful to human health. Unfortunately, the available information does not tell us how serious this risk may be. A major concern of the committee is that what little we know for certain about the effects of marijuana on human health - and all that we have reason to suspect - justifies serious national concern. Of no less concern is the extent of our ignorance about many of the most basic and important questions about the drug. We should redouble our efforts to understand the effects on this illicit substance.