Risks and Benefits
of
Medical Marihuana Use

 

RISKS:
  • Marihuana causes mind-altering effects or “marihuana intoxication."
  • Impaired thinking and memory and a decline in the ability to learn, especially with ‘heavy’ marihuana usage
  • Possible impairment of cognitive and learning skills of a child exposed to marihuana in utero, i.e. during pregnancy
  • Diminished balance and coordination
  • Increased chance of heart attack
  • Possible increased risk of stroke, especially with heavy use
  • Increased risk of respiratory infection
  • Increased risk of lung cancer, mouth cancer, and cancer of the respiratory tract with possible links to other forms of cancer
  • Possible hallucinations
  • There is also a link between marihuana use and fatal accidents.  Studies show that roughly 10 percent of fatal accident victims test positive for THC.
  • Possible interference with the immune system’s ability to fight off infections
  • Possible addiction:  irritability, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and possibly increased aggression have been reported by people trying to cease the use of marihuana.

POSSIBLE MEDICAL BENEFITS:
  • Reduction of nausea often associated with some medical conditions or with cancer chemotherapy treatment
  • Reduction of eye pressure in glaucoma patients
  • Relief of pain from a variety of chronic disorders
  • Possible protection of nerves from the damage caused by multiple sclerosis (MS), thus reducing tremors and muscle spasms associated with the disease
  • Possible prevention of the formation of harmful plaque in the brain which may delay symptomatic decline in Alzheimer's patients

Conclusion:
Whether or not the risks or benefits of marihuana use outweigh one another is dependent upon the individual and the individual’s circumstances. Thus, usefulness of medical marijuana as a treatment must be considered on a case-by-case basis.  There is, however, no evidence to support recreational use of marihuana in view of the significant health risks noted, above.


Warnings and Recommendations:
  1. Use common sense:  Do not operate motor vehicles or potentially dangerous tools or machinery while under the influence of marijuana.  
  2. Be cautious about making significant decisions while under the influence of marijuana.
  3. Smoking marijuana, while effective, also runs many of the same risks as smoking cigarettes such as
  a.    chronic respiratory dysfunction (especially problematic
         in asthmatics and people with COPD or other
         respiratory conditions)
  b.    Lung cancer
  c.    Potential for abuse or addiction

 Because of the hazards associated with smoking, other
 forms of ingestion may be recommended including oral
 ingestion (eating marijuana in various forms) or inhaling
 using a vaporizer.   Information on alternative methods
 of ingestion may be found on a number of websites and
 through various Medical Marijuana Advocacy Groups.

    4. You are advised to familiarize yourself with Michigan’s
        Rules governing the use of Medical Marijuana, such as
        the ‘no smoking marijuana in public’ rule.  Information
        about Michigan’s Medical Marijuana law can be found
        online at http://www.michigan.gov/mmp.

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Michigan Mobile Medical Marihuana Certifications, PLLC 
P.O. Box 1217, Okemos, Michigan 48805
Telephone: (517)376-3229
Email: info@M4-C.com