title: Social factors in marijuana use for medical and recreational purposes.
abstract: Of all the various treatment options for epilepsy, no other therapy comes close to the polarity that cannabis engenders. The rationale for this reaction is firmly rooted in the social factors that enshroud the use of marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes. In order to best understand how to approach this controversial treatment, it is essential to explore the social, demographic, and historical variables that have led to the current opinions on cannabis therapy and how this has converged on epilepsy treatment. Utilizing a sociological conceptual framework, this review discusses in depth the social, cultural, and historical dimensions of cannabis use in the US for medical purposes and its impact on epilepsy treatment. Moreover, it posits that cannabis therapy and the opinions surrounding its use are products of history and assesses this treatment option through the lens of our current times. This article is part of a Special Issue titled Cannabinoids and Epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, HHB 460H, 1720 2nd Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35294-1152, USA. Electronic address: szaflam@uab.edu.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szaflarski
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Division of Epilepsy, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, 5777 East Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA. Electronic address: Sirven.joseph@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Joseph I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Sirven
mesh_terms: D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000074609:Marijuana Use / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D064086:Medical Marijuana / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011639:Public Opinion; D011998:Recreation / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D064086:Medical Marijuana
keywords: Cannabis; Culture; Epilepsy; Marijuana; Society; Sociology