More research is required on the use of medical marijuana for brain, spine and nervous system disorders, said the American Academy of Neurology, in a new position statement released by the AAN.

The AAN supports the reclassification of marijuana-based products by the federal government from their current status as a Schedule I drug to improve access for study of marijuana or cannabinoids under approved research protocols.
The AAN does not advocate for the legalization of marijuana-based products for use in brain and nervous system disorders at this time, Patel stated, as further research is needed to determine the benefits and safety of such products. This is especially important in the cases of people with underlying brain disorders and in children whose developing brains may be more vulnerable to the toxic effects of marijuana, according to the position statement.
"We recognize that there may be potential use for these agents in the treatment of some brain and nervous system disorders, but there is not sufficient evidence to make any definitive conclusions regarding the effectiveness of marijuana-based products for many neurologic conditions at this time," Patel said.
In March 2014, the AAN published a guideline on complementary alternative therapies, such as medical marijuana, to treat multiple sclerosis (MS).
In April 2014, the AAN published a systematic review on the efficacy and safety of medical marijuana in selected brain and nervous system disorders, such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, MS and Tourette syndrome.
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Source-Newswise