The study will assess what is currently known and not known
about the medical use of marijuana. It will include a review of
the science base regarding the mechanism of action of
marijuana, an examination of the peer-reviewed scientific
literature on the efficacy of therapeutic uses of marijuana, and
the costs of using various forms of marijuana versus approved
drugs for specific medical conditions (e.g., glaucoma, multiple
sclerosis, wasting diseases, nausea, and pain).
The study will also include an evaluation of the acute and
chronic effects of marijuana on health and behavior; a
consideration of the adverse effects of marijuana use compared
with approved drugs; an evaluation of the efficacy of different
delivery systems for marijuana (e.g., inhalation vs. oral); an
analysis of the data concerning marijuana as a gateway drug; and
an examination of the possible differences in the effects of
marijuana due to age and type of medical condition.