Author Description

On 26 August 1996, the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport requested the Health Council of the Netherland to inform her, as soon as possible, about the scientific situation relating to the medical use of marihuana and its active constituents. A study of the literature highlights four applications for which marihuana and cannabinoids in particular are alleged to be effective: chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting; as an appetite stimulant in AIDS patients and cancer patients; as a muscle relaxant and tremor-suppressor in multiple sclerosis; intraocular pressure lowering in glaucoma. In order to assess the efficacy of marihuana and cannabinoids for these indications, the Committee has studied the literature published during the past 25 years. On the basis of this literature survey, the Committee has concluded that evidence is insufficient to justify the medical use of marihuana. Furthermore, with regard to marihuana, the Committee believes that physicians cannot accept responsibility for a product of unknown composition that has not been subjected to quality control. This is not restricted to smoking, but also applies to other forms of consumption, such as tea.