According to a new survey published in the journal Psychiatrists, 51% of psychiatrists in the U.S. would prescribe medical cannabis given the right circumstances; only 37% would never prescribe it.
The survey includes comments from the participants, and although numerous showed an inherent misunderstand of the medical properties of cannabis, many showed a clear understanding of how failed of a policy prohibiting cannabis has become, whether as a medicine or as a recreational, therapeutically substance; “Marijuana should be legal for all and should not require a prescription”, stated one psychiatrist.
Another took a broader view; “I would legalize all drugs of abuse as the war on drugs is a failure, wastes money, is a threat to civil liberties, and funds narco-terrorism.”
The study surveyed 1138 psychiatrists, 930 of whom practice in the US; also included were 109 psychologists, 163 nurse practitioners and 22 physician assistants. Roughly 30% of the respondents were 51 – 60 years old; 20% were 41 – 50; and 22% were 61 – 71. The minority (40%) live in a state where medical cannabis is legal.
Source: The Joint Blog
