The IOM report released that day was the result of two years of research that was funded by the White House drug policy office, which comprised a meta-analysis of all existing data on marijuana's therapeutic uses . Medicinal Value Marijuana is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known. Marijuana can reduce the nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite caused by the ailment itself and by various AIDS medications. Marijuana can stimulate the appetite and alleviate nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects of chemotherapy treatment. Marijuana can limit the muscle pain and spasticity caused by the disease, as well as relieving tremor and unsteadiness of gait.
Marijuana can prevent epileptic seizures in some patients.
Marijuana can alleviate the chronic, often debilitating pain caused by myriad disorders and injuries. Many patients also report that marijuana is useful for treating arthritis, migraine, menstrual cramps, alcohol and opiate addiction, and depression and other debilitating mood disorders. Marijuana could be helpful for millions of patients in the United States. Background The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 federally prohibited marijuana. Dr. William C. Woodward of the American Medical Association opposed the Act, testifying that prohibition would ultimately prevent the medicinal uses of marijuana.