Medical Marijuana: Voodoo or Legitimate Therapeutic Choice?

Doctors weigh wisdom of prescribing drug in hypothetical case involving woman with advanced breast cancer

February 20, 2013 RSS Feed Print

"The downside of trying medical marijuana is small. If she did not have a recent experience with [marijuana], she might not even like it," he said.

Bostwick believes the federal government should make marijuana, which is now illegal in the United States, a "schedule II" drug, thereby allowing researchers to study its safety and effectiveness. Schedule II drugs are considered to have a high abuse risk but also have safe and accepted medical uses. Schedule II drugs include morphine, cocaine, oxycodone (Percodan), methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine).

Bostwick argues that Marilyn's situation is a clear case for the need to apply clinical judgment: "In the context of an ongoing relationship, as one more treatment in a wide pharmacopeia, it's up to the doctor," he said.

More information

To learn more about marijuana, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.