According to one survey, 40 to 60 percent of marijuana users have experienced its adverse effects. (2).

             In its unfiltered form, it can have major disruptive effects on coordination and even worsen some conditions like bronchitis. The greatest risk of marijuana lies in its ability to diminish immunity levels against infections. Users are more prone to catching infections especially if they have some pre-existing condition. It is likely to have a negative impact on pulmonary defenses against infection. The risk of infection rises considerably in patients suffering from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. (3) Even more serious are the effects on senior patients and those with particular heart conditions. It tends to increase heart-rate, hypertension and risk of angina. .

             The notion that marijuana had medical uses was popularized in late 1960s as a tactic for legalizing it in the US. With increased recreational use, it was found that marijuana helped in lifting some conditions connected with AIDS, cancer and Glaucoma etc. based on this information, thirty-three states passed medical marijuana laws in 1970s and early 1980s. In response to these measures, the federal government approved Investigational New Drug (IND) program by FDA. This program sought to conduct research in the field of new drugs to find out if illicit substances like marijuana could possibly offer medical benefits. But implementing this program at state level proved to be a difficult task and thus a simultaneous Compassionate IND program was started to allow patients access to marijuana for medical purposes. But over the years, the theory of medical marijuana has lost ground. FDA has been repeatedly rejecting the claim that marijuana offers medical advantages as the result of which this drug has become even more inaccessible to those who wish to use it for various conditions. In a recent statement, FDA reiterated its stand on the issue thus openly rejecting the claim made by some highly regarded scientists.