July 1, 2015
As Casarett (Shocked, 2014) notes, more than 20 states and Washington, D.C., have now legalized medical marijuana, and the media is full of stories, pro and con, on the topic. But what do medical practitioners think? A physician, professor, and author, Casarett shares patient anecdotes while offering his own measured and often lighthearted look at the controversy, albeit from an informed medical perspective, describing how medical marijuana can be helpful and harmful. Politics and hype aside, what interests Casarett is whether marijuana has any real medical value. He examines what effects marijuana has on brain-related conditions, such as insomnia, PTSD, and seizures. He researches how useful it is in treating nausea, weight loss, dementia, multiple sclerosis, or cancer. He discusses marijuana and addiction as well as the dangers of using marijuana and driving. He even learns how to make marijuana-infused beer and wine, and brownies (his world's best pot brownie recipe is included). He concludes with a discussion on the future for medical marijuana. A marijuana glossary is included in this timely look at a contentious topic.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)