U.S. Surgeon General Says Medical Marijuana May Help Some Patients

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said in an interview this week that medical marijuana may help some patients.

His comments may increase pressure on the Justice Department to reschedule marijuana, Reuters reports. The drug is currently a Schedule I drug. These drugs are considered to have no accepted medical value and have a high potential for abuse.

Dr. Murthy, in an interview on “CBS This Morning,” said the medical effectiveness of marijuana had to be shown scientifically. He noted much more information will become available. “We have some preliminary data showing that for certain medical conditions and symptoms, marijuana can be helpful,” he said. Dr. Murthy, who became surgeon general in December, noted, “I think we have to use that data to drive policymaking, and I’m very interested to see where that data takes us.”

Last week, Loretta Lynch, the nominee for U.S. Attorney General, said in her first day of confirmation hearings that she does not support the legalization of marijuana.

Lynch said, “Not only do I not support legalization of marijuana – it is not the position of the Department of Justice currently, to support the legalization, nor would it be the position should I become confirmed as attorney general.”