Or at least it should.
Because here’s the thing – just because there aren’t a wealth of clinical trial results confirming that medical cannabis relieves pain, reduces inflammation, helps folks sleep, etc., doesn’t mean it doesn’t do all of those things for many people.
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence of marijuana efficacy. In fact, California alone has over 20 years of such evidence.
But since this “evidence” isn’t based on poorly-designed trials conducted in some fancy lab and funded by those with conflicting interests, it’s not real.
Okay. Sure.
And Who Says There’s No Research Anyhow?
Millions of Americans consume cannabis every year. And with the vast amount of legalization, that number continues to grow.
So it’s not too surprising that the National Institutes of Health’s scientific research database has record of almost 20,000 studies relating to marijuana or cannabinoids. Such studies have resulted in an ever-growing body of preliminary research on the safety and efficacy of cannabis for a number of ailments and illnesses.
And what have they found?
There is rock solid evidence that unadulterated medical cannabis is nontoxic and relatively safe. Even the National Institute on Drug Abuse has stepped up to say that there are no reports of teens or adults dying from just marijuana.
Add to that the research coming out of other countries that have actually embraced medical cannabis research, rather than making it a major bite in the ass, and there is some legitimate evidence.
What Is Legitimate Evidence Though?
That’s really just another way of saying research that’s baked by “real science.”
When researchers from a 2019 neuropsychopharmacology study show support for using cannabis-derived CBD to prevent drug addiction and relapse based on their findings, there may be something to it.
But when thousands of people report that medical marijuana has helped them to cut down or even get off opioids, that isn’t considered legitimate evidence?
Or how about when tens of thousands of people report similar beneficial effects from medical marijuana products?
Even so, critics are quick to say that we’re lacking definitive proof that marijuana safely and effectively treats anything.
So is it all just the power of suggestion? And what exactly is considered critical mass before they stop shrugging off such anecdotal evidence?
Millions of people across the country use marijuana for therapeutic and medical purposes because IT WORKS. Isn’t that enough evidence?
The Hypocrisy of It All
This massive body of anecdotal evidence is far more comprehensive than what the FDA requires of most pharmaceutical medications. In fact, about a third of pharmaceutical medicines currently available in the U.S. were approved by the FDA after just one clinical trial. In some cases, a very small and short trial.
Puts a whole different spin on the term, ‘FDA approved,’ doesn’t it?
Plus, the USDA is quick to approve plenty of “shiny and new” pharmaceutical drugs without any sort of conclusive proof. These are drugs that are broadly regarded as legitimate medicine.
Never mind the utter absence of anecdotal evidence that spans hundred and even thousands of years – as is the case with cannabis. Because it just doesn’t matter.
But it sure as hell should.
Anecdotal Evidence of Marijuana Efficacy Continues to Grow
There’s no doubt in our minds that anecdotal evidence of marijuana efficacy should be a bigger factor in bolstering cannabis research.
Perhaps in time, it will be.
In the mean time, if you own a cannabis business, just know that your services are helping to build that evidence. And we want to see you succeed.
Contact us today to get the most of your cannabis marketing strategies.