Doctors Group Issues Policy Paper Calling For Decriminalization of Marijuana

An organization of doctors has called for decriminalization of marijuana as part of an overall public health approach to address the legal, medical, and social complexities of cannabis use

The policy paper by the American College of Physicians (ACP) was published last week in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.  It contains proposals to prevent and control adverse health outcomes related to cannabis.

The ACP recommends decriminalizing possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use, saying it is a way to help address systemic inequities and promote a treatment-focused alternative to criminal penalties for substance use disorders.

The group said it supports rigorous research into the health effects, potential therapeutic uses, and the impact of legalization on cannabis use.   It also wants information about cannabis incorporated into medical education.

“In part, due to the drug’s complicated legal status, clinicians have limited evidence about the effects of cannabis use, despite the drug’s prevalence,” said Isaac O. Opole, MBChB, PhD, MACP, president, ACP. “We need additional research into the health effects, so we have better evidence about its adverse effects and therapeutic uses.”

The ACP also calls for insurance coverage of treatment for cannabis use disorder.  The group promotes taking an evidence-based approach to medical education around cannabis and its health effects.

“The legal status of cannabis is changing rapidly,” said Opole. “We need to ensure that regulations are based on a public health approach in jurisdictions where it is legal and that they include consideration of prohibiting use among young people and unsafe use among adults.”

The doctors group said that in states where cannabis is legal, attention should go toward prohibiting use among young people and preventing unsafe use among adults.    It added that physicians should have education resources so they can provide accurate information about the health effects of cannabis and care for patients with cannabis use disorder.

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