Notes for a science of cannabis

Abstract

The therapeutic and recreational use of cannabis and its derived products has been known since ancient times. The debate regarding its properties and legal status, which has recently changed in several states, has grown in recent years. However, scientific evidence for or against its use, as well as for potential toxic effects in the short or long term, is scarce. In spite of the promising perspectives for its therapeutic use, in particular for neurological diseases such as refractory epilepsy or multiple sclerosis, which certainly aim for a controlled administration, this opinion article advocates for a greater incidence of basic and clinical scientific research that may take this debate further away from matters of belief or prejudice and put it where it belongs, together with evidence and rationality.