Open Letter Response to the NY Times article, "As America’s Marijuana Use Grows, So Do the Risks"

An Open Letter from Concerned Cannabis Clinicians

Dear Editors of The New York Times,

In your recent article titled “As America’s Marijuana Use Grows, So Do the Harms,” published on October 4, 2024, you highlight potential risks associated with cannabis use. While we acknowledge that cannabis, like any substance, can pose risks for certain individuals, we are concerned that your article presents a one-sided perspective that overlooks the substantial benefits medical cannabis provides to countless patients.

As practicing clinicians, we witness daily the transformative effects of medical cannabis on our patients' lives. It effectively manages chronic pain, reduces seizures in epilepsy, alleviates symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and mitigates chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Under professional supervision, patients use cannabis responsibly, enhancing their quality of life without the severe side effects often associated with traditional medications.

Furthermore, medical cannabis can play a significant role in addressing the opioi…