TY - JOUR T1 - Expanding Medical Marijuana Access in Canada: Considerations for the Rheumatologist JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol DO - 10.3899/jrheum.131514 SP - jrheum.131514 AU - Mary-Ann Fitzcharles AU - Shahin Jamal Y1 - 2014/09/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2014/08/26/jrheum.131514.abstract N2 - Similar to the enthusiasm for treatment of various ailments that greeted Nicotiana tabacum when brought to Europe from the New World 500 years ago, Cannabis sativa is now hailed as a possible treatment for a multiplicity of symptoms1. Embraced by physicians and the people, from commoners to the aristocracy, the enthusiasm for Nicotiana tabacum was questioned by a discerning few with concerns about the “indiscriminate use of the herb for all diseases in all age groups without specific measured prescriptions”1. Much like for tobacco many years ago, marijuana as the byproduct of Cannabis sativa, with significant financial incentives, requires careful appraisal regarding true therapeutic potential. 1. Charlton A. Medicinal uses of tobacco in history. J R Soc Med 2004;97:292-6. ER -