Mike Allan is director, PEER (Patients, Experience, Evidence, Research) Director, Evidence Based Medicine and researcher in the U of A's Department of Family Medicine.
Artwork by Natasia Designs
A new medical guideline published in the medical journal Canadian Family Physician says there is limited evidence to support the reported benefits of medical marijuana for many conditions.
It adds that any benefit could be balanced or even outweighed by the potential harm.
"While enthusiasm for medical marijuana is very strong among some people, good quality research has not caught up," said project leader Mike Allan, director of evidence-based medicine in the U of A's Department of Family Medicine.
The guideline was created by a committee of 10 doctors, allied health professionals and a patient, after U of A researchers performed an in-depth review of clinical trials. It was peer reviewed by 40 others, including doctors, pharmacists, nurses and patients.