67% of U.S. Doctors Say Cannabis ‘Should Be A Medical Option’ (April 2014)
More than two-thirds of doctors in the U.S. believe cannabis can be used to treat certain conditions, according to a new survey by WebMD/Medscape.
Findings from an online survey of over 1,500 doctors in 48 states reveal strong support for marijuana as a medicine.
Despite the fact that marijuana is federally classified as having no medical use, 69% of doctors surveyed by WebMD/Medscape said that it “can help with certain treatments and conditions.”
67% of doctors also agreed that cannabis “should be a medical option for patients.”
“The medical community is clearly saying they support using marijuana as a potential treatment option for any number of medical problems. In fact, many doctors already prescribe it,” says Dr. Michael W. Smith, chief medical editor of WebMD, an award-winning online health portal.
“In fact, many doctors already prescribe it”Support was highest among oncologists and hematologists, with 82% agreeing that marijuana offered legitimate benefits, such as easing pain and nausea related to chemotherapy.
Rheumatologists showed the lowest level of support, with only 54% saying cannabis offered benefits to patients. Despite a lack of clinical data, patients with arthritis represent the largest portion of medical marijuana users in Canada.
Pain relief is also one of the most commonly reported reasons for using medical marijuana, notes Dr. Smith. “Medical marijuana may be a better painkiller than narcotic painkillers, like oxycodone, with less potential for addiction,” he says.
“More research will help us better understand how best to use medical marijuana in the treatment of many conditions that cause chronic pain.”
In a similar survey conducted last year by the New England Journal of Medicine, 76% of readers said they would support the use of medical marijuana in specific cases.
Laws allowing doctors to prescribe medical marijuana have been passed by 21 states and the District of Columbia.
