Marijuana and medicine addresses the science base and the therapeutic effects of marijuana use for medical conditions such as glaucoma and multiple sclerosis it covers marijuanas mechanism of action acute and chronic effects on health and behavior potential adverse effects efficacy of different delivery systems analysis of the data about marijuana as a gateway drug and the prospects for developing cannabinoid drugs the book evaluates how well marijuana meets accepted standards for . Marijuana and medicine assessing the science base a summary of the 1999 institute of medicine report in response to public pressure to allow the medical use of marijuana the office of national drug control policy washington dc funded a study by the institute of medicine evaluating the scientific evidence for benefits and risks of using . The book helps the reader understand not only what science has to say about medical marijuana but also the logic behind the scientific conclusions marijuana and medicine addresses the science base and the therapeutic effects of marijuana use for medical conditions such as glaucoma and multiple sclerosis. Evaluation of any conclusions on the medical use of marijuana and its science base included the efficacy and side effects of various delivery systems for marijuana compared with existing medications the costs of various forms of marijuana were compared with costs of effective approved medications for glaucoma wasting syndrome pain nausea or other symptoms