We are "bombarded" with the publicity of hundreds of addictive products (alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis) and other so-called "natural" products, by all means,,, that claim to be necessary for our health and well-being. Some governments protect the interests of these industries in their promotion and have imported pseudo-scientific language into laws to adulterate what science recommends, unprotecting public health. Examples are addictive products such as alcohol, and tobacco, and recently the sale of thousands of products derived from marijuana with a high percentage of different THC-type cannabinoids (cannabinoids with a potentially addictive effect). Examples of propaganda combining pseudoscience are the wrong messages that the use of any of these substances for health is healthy or medicinal, or that they are a traditional or healthy way to unite friendships and to celebrate or have fun.
The following table briefly summarizes the differences between a method and scientific/medical and system definitions and pseudoscientific terms that have been legalized in the last decade for the sale of more than 8 thousand products not approved by the FDA and with a high percentage of THC in the USA and recently in PR. This table helps to clarify what is medicine and what is not. Botany was the origin of medicine hundreds of years ago, but today it is considered a pseudoscience and is an unethical or, in some cases, illegal practice unless the patient is warned and educated (informed consent) about what it is and what it is not medicine. and the patient still approves.
Scientific, Supervised and Approved by FDA | Pseudoscientific, not FDA approved |
Method of probabilistic, statistical studies controlling variables. Results can be checked statistically | Anecdotal method of selected cases. There are no forms or guarantees of results nor can they be verified statistically. |
Specific and dosed use | Widespread use and no dose |
Describes primary effects, adverse effects, possible dangers and specific contraindications | Describes only positive effects without mentioning specific dangers or contraindications |
Evidence of damages for legalizing the terms and pseudoscientific advertising of "Medicinal Cannabis" and "Recreational Cannabis"
Implementing a system where the indiscriminate sale of the marijuana flower is allowed and hundreds of products that cannot be dosed or quantified their components or the degree of consumption of each of the hundreds of cannabinoids they contain has clear dangers for the consumer. The fact that most of the products have a high percentage of THC (greater than 5-10%) also has the danger of developing addictions and there is no greater ,,benefit in pain relief, so the lack of education and controls is not justified. by the government of those sales and advertising representing a real danger to public health.
Several recent studies begin to reveal with evidence the result of legalizing pseudoscience in the case of the Cannabis industry and the sale of hundreds of products not supervised or approved by the FDA. We put the references so that they can access and examine them through the network.
1. Effect of Medical Marijuana Card Ownership on Pain, Insomnia, and Affective Disorder Symptoms in Adults, A Randomized Clinical Trial Jodi M. Gilman, Ph.D. et al. JAMA Network Open. 2022; March 18, 2022
"Possession of a medical marijuana card led to rapid onset and higher incidence and
the severity of CUD (Cannabis Use Disorder; that is, Cannabis Addiction) in some participants, particularly those with a primary concern of symptoms of anxiety or depression. Self-reported improvement in sleep quality warrants further study of the benefits of medical marijuana card ownership for insomnia and CUD risk. There were no observed benefits of getting a medical marijuana card for pain, anxiety, or depressive symptoms."
2. Mapping cannabis potency in medical and recreational programs in the United States Mary Catherine Cash et al, PLOS ONE: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230167 March 26, 2020
Four western states (CA, CO, NM, WA) and five northeastern states (ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) were included. A total of 8,505 cannabis products were sampled at 653 dispensaries.
"The average concentration of THC advertised online in medicinal programs was similar (19.2%
±6.2) to recreational programs (21.5% ±6.0) when comparing states with different
programs, or between medical and recreational programs within the same states (as
WASHINGTON). The lowest concentrations of CBD accompanied the highest THC products. The majority of products, regardless of medicinal or recreational programs, were advertised as containing more than 15% THC (70.3% - 91.4% of products). These stated concentrations appear unsuitable for medicinal uses. especially for patients with chronic neuropathic pain. Therefore, this information could lead to the misconception that high-potency cannabis is safe to treat pain."
"Patients using these products may be at risk of acute intoxication or long-term side effects. Our study provides a basis for developing policies to help prevent misconceptions about cannabis and reduce risks in patients with pain."