Marijuana Rivals Mainstream Drugs For Alleviating HIV/AIDS Symptoms

[votingupstart]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529081627.htm

Those in the United States living with HIV/AIDS are more likely to use marijuana than those in Kenya, South Africa or Puerto Rica to alleviate their symptoms, according to a new study published in Clinical Nursing Research, published by SAGE. Those who did use marijuana rate it as effective as prescribed or over the counter (OTC) medicines for the majority of common symptoms, once again raising the issue that therapeutic marijuana use merits further study and consideration among policy makers.

A significant percentage of those with HIV/AIDS use marijuana as a symptom management approach for anxiety, depression, fatigue, diarrhoea, nausea, and peripheral neuropathy. Members of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) International HIV/AIDS Nursing Research Network examined symptom management and quality of life experiences among those with HIV/AIDS in the US, Africa, and Puerto Rico, to gain a fuller picture of marijuana’s effectiveness and use in this population.

<Edited for space>

The question of the use of marijuana for symptom management when legal drugs are available remains a practice and policy issue.

“Given that marijuana may have other pleasant side effects and may be less costly than prescribed or OTC drugs, is there a reason to make it available?” asks study leader Inge Corless. “These are the political ramifications of our findings. Our data indicate that the use of marijuana merits further inquiry.”

[pinto]

1. A lot of friends w/AIDS use it, many in cookies, brownies and such.

Seems to have a better effect on physical symptoms.

[Taverner]

2. It's a better analgesic and pain killer altogether

It just doesn't have Pfizer printed on it

[tridim]

3. Cannabis is obviously not a schedule I drug..

Yet, there it is on the government's list.

"High potential for abuse, and no currently accepted medical use."

100% pure bullshit. Cannabis has more valid medical uses than anything else on Earth.

[DCKit]

5. Not schedule 1, but a real Pharma profit killer if it were ever legalized.

Slowly, but surely, teh peoples are catching on.

[bamacrat]

6. It doesnt have to be.

I hate to say it but Big Pharma would be one of the few industries that could produce large amount of marijuana if legalized. Tobacco companies obviously would be able to convert some of the factories much easier but everyone could have their own brand of weed.

[Kurovski]

4. K&R. (nt)

[Bozita]

7. K&R for a story which will never be recognized by the corporate media