The chart below is included:

This policy brief unfortunately lacks any footnoting or indication of the research that forms the basis of their program effectiveness rankings. While the numbers speak for themselves, the relative effectiveness of treatment compared to interdiction has still not been demonstrated clearly enough to impact the the federal budgeting process. Failing to source the claimed effectiveness of treatment diminishes from the value this policy brief.

Marijuana has been smoked for its medicinal properties for centuries. Preclinical, clinical, and anecdotal reports suggest numerous potential medical uses for marijuana. Although the indications for some conditions have been well documented, less information is available about other potential medical uses.

The position paper makes five position statements including:

Position 4: ACP urges review of marijuana’s status as a schedule I controlled substanceand its reclassification into a more appropriate schedule, given the scientific evidenceregarding marijuana’s safety and efficacy in some clinical conditions.

It goes on to explain:

The concern that marijuana is a “gateway” drug also hinders opportunities to evaluate itspotential therapeutic benefits. However, the IOM concluded that marijuana is a gateway drugonly in the sense that its use normally precedes, rather than follows, initiation of other illicitdrugs. Marijuana has not been proven to be the cause or even the most serious predictor ofserious drug abuse.

The report conclusion holds that “[e]vidence not only supports the use of medical marijuana in certain conditions but also suggests numerous indications for cannabinoids”.