title: Medical marijuana for digestive disorders: high time to prescribe?
abstract: The use of recreational and medical marijuana is increasingly accepted by the general public in the United States. Along with growing interest in marijuana use has come an understanding of marijuana's effects on normal physiology and disease, primarily through elucidation of the human endocannabinoid system. Scientific inquiry into this system has indicated potential roles for marijuana in the modulation of gastrointestinal symptoms and disease. Some patients with gastrointestinal disorders already turn to marijuana for symptomatic relief, often without a clear understanding of the risks and benefits of marijuana for their condition. Unfortunately, that lack of understanding is shared by health-care providers. Marijuana's federal legal status as a Schedule I controlled substance has limited clinical investigation of its effects. There are also potential legal ramifications for physicians who provide recommendations for marijuana for their patients. Despite these constraints, as an increasing number of patients consider marijuana as a potential therapy for their digestive disorders, health-care providers will be asked to discuss the issues surrounding medical marijuana with their patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gerich
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Isfort
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brimhall
authors.affiliation: Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.
authors.forename: Corey A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Siegel
mesh_terms: D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D064086:Medical Marijuana / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009325:Nausea / Q000188:drug therapy; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000378:metabolism; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration; D014839:Vomiting / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D064086:Medical Marijuana; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid