Dr. Gupta Backs Medical Marijuana

A prominent TV doctor says he was wrong about medical marijuana. Sanjay Gupta, M.D., will explain his views in a documentary Sunday on CNN. He wrote about them in an article published August 8 on CNN.com. Dr. Gupta, a neurosurgeon, is the network’s chief medical correspondent. In the past, he has opposed medical marijuana, now legal in 20 states. But he recently changed his mind after looking more closely at the evidence. Dr. Gupta cited specific people he has learned about for whom marijuana is the only drug that helps to stop seizures or pain. Marijuana is a Schedule I drug under U.S law. This means it is likely to be abused and has no medical use. Dr. Gupta disputed both of those statements. He said about 10% of marijuana users become addicted. Those are less than half the rates for other illegal drugs or tobacco.