Marijuana--then and now.

The Science of Marijuanaby Leslie Iversen (foreword by Solomon H. Snyder),Oxford University Press, 2000. £18.99 (hardback) (xvi + 282 pages)ISBN 0 1951 3123 1Iversen prefaces his book with a view held by virtually all cannabinoid researchers: ‘I am exasperated by the way in which the proponents and opponents of cannabis use abuse science in defending their positions.’ He goes on to provide some worthy quotes including one by the US Drug Czar General Barry McCaffrey: ‘There is not a shred of scientific evidence that shows that smoked marijuana is useful or needed. This is not medicine. This is a cruel hoax.’ Yet, he notes, voters around the USA are ratifying ballot initiatives that legalize medical marijuana. The governments of Europe (except The Netherlands) and the USA are clearly out of synch with the thinking of their people. Who is correct? This is the conflict that Iversen addresses in a colorful and scientifically accurate manner with text that is largely free of scientific jargon, thus making the data accessible to the well-educated public.The introductory chapter discusses the varieties of cannabis plants and modes of administration of cannabis, and provides an overview of the effects of cannabis and an interesting historical account of the use of marijuana from the Chou dynasty (1122–265 bc) to the present day. Indeed, Iversen sprinkles historical accounts throughout the book, including digressions into topics such as the attempts of W.B. O'Shaugnessey, MD, a proponent of medical marijuana during the 19th century, to bring telegraphy to India. The historical material adds to the pleasure of reading this book and provides a respite from the scientific presentation, which could have become ponderous otherwise.Iversen covers all the important topics with chapters on pharmacology, CNS effects, medical marijuana, safety, recreational use and a discussion of the future of cannabis. This book is thorough enough to provide a reasonable degree of expertise to any reader who masters its content. It would be an outstanding resource for novice researchers such as graduate students and it would serve non-experts well.This is not a reference book. It contains ∼175 references, some of which are not the most appropriate. For example, on the subject of cannabinoids and pain, historical precedence would suggest citation of the work of Richardson and Hargreaves, instead of the one chosen, to illustrate the role of endocannabinoids in pain. In some places, the book cites many references and mentions many different laboratories, such as the chapter on the identification of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as the active component of marijuana. Other chapters contain fewer references: pages and pages of discussion of scientific findings go by without citation. As a book that appeals to the public, this is fine and even desirable, but it limits its usefulness to the technician.Comparison of this book to Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base 1xJoy, J.E. et al. See all References1 by Joy, Watson and Benson is irresistible. This volume arose from a study by the US National Academy of Sciences Institute on Medicine (IOM). Joy et al. collected massive amounts of information on marijuana, and the IOM hosted three workshops where marijuana researchers gathered to present their findings. Written reports from the speakers were compiled and masterfully edited into English prose by Joy and the IOM staff. This volume covers many of the same topics as Iversen's book and reaches almost identical conclusions about the state of the literature vis-a-vis medical marijuana. However, this is a reference book. References appear at the end of each chapter, and most of the individual chapters have >175 references, which cover virtually all of the important modern findings on cannabinoid pharmacology and therapeutics. Furthermore, Joy et al. did a marvelous job of making the material accessible to the non-expert.However, in its focus on assessing the medical utility of marijuana, the book by Joy et al. misses topics covered by Iversen. For example, the interesting sections on botany, non-medical uses, preparations (e.g. the manufacture of hashish), demographics on recreational use, and subjective effects are either absent or covered only superficially in the book by Joy et al.Thus, The Science of Marijuana is a good read, chock full of current information about the state of cannabinoid pharmacology and the future of cannabinoid therapeutics. It is an outstanding volume for the lay public and newcomers to pharmacology who wish to learn about cannabinoids.