(Non-Recreational Adolescent Marijuana Use) "The findings of this study provide one of the first in-depth descriptions of youths' use of marijuana for non-recreational purposes, adding to the growing body of research on the use of drugs to self-medicate among young people. Teens involved in regular and long-term use of marijuana for relief constructed their use of marijuana as essential to feeling better or 'normal' in situations where they perceived there were few other options available to them.

IOM's Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base (1999)

(General Conclusions) "At this point, our knowledge about the biology of marijuana and cannabinoids allows us to make some general conclusions:
"· Cannabinoids likely have a natural role in pain modulation, control of movement, and memory.
"· The natural role of cannabinoids in immune systems is likely multi-faceted and remains unclear.
"· The brain develops tolerance to cannabinoids.

US-Based Medical and Scientific Organizations Which Support Access to Medical Cannabis:

Cannabis and HIV/AIDS

(Medical Cannabis and HIV) "Conclusions: Smoked and oral cannabinoids did not seem to be unsafe in people with HIV infection with respect to HIV RNA levels, CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts, or protease inhibitor levels over a 21-day treatment."

(Tolerance) In the Institute of Medicine's report on medical marijuana, the researchers examined the physiological risks of using marijuana and cautioned, "Marijuana is not a completely benign substance. It is a powerful drug with a variety of effects. However, except for the harms associated with smoking, the adverse effects of marijuana use are within the range of effects tolerated for other medications."

(Increased Use) The Institute of Medicine's 1999 report on medical marijuana examined the question whether the medical use of marijuana would lead to an increase of marijuana use in the general population and concluded that, "At this point there are no convincing data to support this concern.

(Therapeutic Value) The Institute of Medicine's 1999 report on medical marijuana stated, "The accumulated data indicate a potential therapeutic value for cannabinoid drugs, particularly for symptoms such as pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting, and appetite stimulation."