Regarding the letter to the editor “Call to lighten restrictions on marijuana not supported by facts” (July 2): The writer builds her argument against marijuana reclassification on flawed logic and outdated information.
As of 2024, medical marijuana was legal in most states. The vast majority of states where it is legal all cite the benefits for pain relief, an accepted medical use. Despite this state-level acceptance, marijuana remains in federal Schedule I, “no currently accepted medical use and high potential for abuse.”
The letter writer says that state legislatures cannot determine if something is of medical benefit. Oh, yes they can, if they pass a law.
Understanding accepted medical use is an evolving thing with marijuana and cannabis products, and keeping marijuana bottled up in Schedule I obstructs systematic study.
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The writer draws upon circa-2017 studies, vaguely described as showing mixed results on marijuana’s effectiveness as an analgesic. This vagueness arises in part because earlier studies, concerned over legal status, had lower complexity and weaker controls than current research.
Anecdotal evidence shows that marijuana can alleviate chronic pain. Key users include cancer patients who suffer from nausea and cannot take oral medications, those suffering neuropathy from nerve damage, and combat veterans battling PTSD.
Marijuana has potential risks, as do legal pain relievers such as opioids and alcohol. But society can better research these benefits and risks if marijuana is reclassified federally as Schedule III, its de facto status in most states.
John Orr
Swansea
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