G Model
ARTICLE IN PRESS
DAD-5433; No. of Pages 1
Drug and Alcohol Dependence xxx (2015) xxx–xxx
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Drug and Alcohol Dependence journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/drugalcdep
Editorial
Two perspectives on the legalization of medical marijuana in the United States
The following commentaries provide divergent views on legalization of medical marijuana in the United States. Loflin and Earleywine (“The case for medical marijuana: An issue of releaf”) make the case for therapeutic use of marijuana, particularly when conventional medications have failed, and discuss regulatory policies that would support medical use of marijuana. In contrast, Wright’s commentary (“Legalizing marijuana for medical purposes will increase risk of long-term, deleterious consequences for adolescents”) highlights potential adverse effects of marijuana use on physical and mental health, particularly among adolescents (Hopfer, 2014); and concerns regarding reliable dosing and quality control. Despite important differences in the perspectives on legalization of medical marijuana, there is some convergence on the need for research on the therapeutic value of marijuana, which is currently restricted by its Schedule I status (Bostwick, 2012; Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2014), and the importance
of regulations to address quality control, testing and labeling of THC content, and risk management for medical uses of marijuana (Grant et al., 2012). The commentaries address the evidence base and gaps in regulatory policy to guide decision-making regarding legalization of medical marijuana. References Bostwick, J.M., 2012. Blurred boundaries: the therapeutics and politics of medical marijuana. Mayo Clin. Proc. 87, 172–186. Grant, I., Atkinson, J.H., Gouaux, B., Wilsey, B., 2012. Medical marijuana: clearing away the smoke. Open Neurol. J. 6, 18–25. Hopfer, C., 2014. Implications of marijuana legalization for adolescent substance use. Subst. Abuse 35, 331–335. Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2014. Office of National Drug Control Policy: Marijuana, Available from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/marijuana
Available online xxx
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.01.014 0376-8716/© 2015 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Please cite this article in press as: Two perspectives on the legalization of medical marijuana in the United States. Drug Alcohol Depend. (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.01.014
ARTICLE IN PRESS
DAD-5433; No. of Pages 1
Drug and Alcohol Dependence xxx (2015) xxx–xxx
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Drug and Alcohol Dependence journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/drugalcdep
Editorial
Two perspectives on the legalization of medical marijuana in the United States
The following commentaries provide divergent views on legalization of medical marijuana in the United States. Loflin and Earleywine (“The case for medical marijuana: An issue of releaf”) make the case for therapeutic use of marijuana, particularly when conventional medications have failed, and discuss regulatory policies that would support medical use of marijuana. In contrast, Wright’s commentary (“Legalizing marijuana for medical purposes will increase risk of long-term, deleterious consequences for adolescents”) highlights potential adverse effects of marijuana use on physical and mental health, particularly among adolescents (Hopfer, 2014); and concerns regarding reliable dosing and quality control. Despite important differences in the perspectives on legalization of medical marijuana, there is some convergence on the need for research on the therapeutic value of marijuana, which is currently restricted by its Schedule I status (Bostwick, 2012; Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2014), and the importance
of regulations to address quality control, testing and labeling of THC content, and risk management for medical uses of marijuana (Grant et al., 2012). The commentaries address the evidence base and gaps in regulatory policy to guide decision-making regarding legalization of medical marijuana. References Bostwick, J.M., 2012. Blurred boundaries: the therapeutics and politics of medical marijuana. Mayo Clin. Proc. 87, 172–186. Grant, I., Atkinson, J.H., Gouaux, B., Wilsey, B., 2012. Medical marijuana: clearing away the smoke. Open Neurol. J. 6, 18–25. Hopfer, C., 2014. Implications of marijuana legalization for adolescent substance use. Subst. Abuse 35, 331–335. Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2014. Office of National Drug Control Policy: Marijuana, Available from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/marijuana
Available online xxx
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.01.014 0376-8716/© 2015 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Please cite this article in press as: Two perspectives on the legalization of medical marijuana in the United States. Drug Alcohol Depend. (2015), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.01.014
