In this day and age when even the United States government is holding on to bad science to justify its ongoing prohibition of all forms of cannabis, it is important for people to stay informed.

Go to any reliable public forum online, talk to people in real life, and keep yourself abreast of the latest cannabis news, and you will no doubt encounter different views and opposing opinions on the topic. You will also discover that some of these views are well-informed, and yet some are baseless.

It does not help that studies and research have been hampered by the legal status of cannabis. However, now more than ever, encouraging steps have been taken towards cannabis reform in different parts of the world such as in several U.S. states, Australia, and other countries.

Where do you stand on the debate regarding the legalization of cannabis? Do you believe cannabis is good for you or do you believe it is deleterious to your health and mental well-being?

CannabizDaily.co has been steadfastly bringing to readers the latest developments and most credible research news on cannabis. One study you should know of is the National Academy of Sciences report that collated the evidence and scientific conclusions regarding cannabis. The undertaking was composed of 16 professors and supported by around 700 publications, as well as by more than a dozen academic reviewers.

What did they find?

1. Cannabis is very effective in a variety of therapies, helping patients treat their diseases or conditions, or at least helping them manage the symptoms of their illnesses. The report found that marijuana is effective in:

• Treating vomiting and nausea caused by chemotherapy;
• Relieving chronic pain;
• Reducing incidents of spasms in multiple sclerosis patients; and
• Improving sleep conditions for people who have sleeping problems.

2. Although the evidence is limited, cannabis also proved effective in:

• Battling the wasting syndrome associated with HIV/AIDS by increasing patients’ appetite and preventing weight loss;
• Treating Tourette syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and social anxiety disorders; and
• Lowering the risks of metabolic problems and diseases such as diabetes.

3. There is inconclusive evidence that cannabis:

• Can treat epilepsy, asthma, and schizophrenia;
• Can help manage Parkinson's disease; and
• Can cause heart attack.

4. Based on limited evidence, marijuana is found to be ineffective in:

• Treating glaucoma and depression; and
• Improving the symptoms of dementia.

5. The researchers also warned that pregnant women should not smoke weed because this could lead to the babies having lower birth weight. Furthermore, there is limited evidence that cannabis use can cause strokes.

6. The report also touched on the topic of whether or not cannabis is a gateway drug for more illicit drugs. The researchers did not write a conclusion whether it is or not, but they did point out that the use of cannabis typically precedes the use of hard drugs. This does not mean to say that people are predisposed to try other drugs once they use marijuana; the first gateway is usually smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol. In fact, cannabis is neither the most common, nor the first, gateway for most people.

Disease-specific findings

Here are the study's findings on cancer, respiratory diseases, brain function, and mortality:

1. Marijuana use does not make you more susceptible to certain types of cancer, except for the modest evidence that cannabis use might increase your risk of getting testicular cancer.

2. Don't toke and drive because cannabis makes it more probable that you'd get into an accident if you do.

3. In legal marijuana states, there has been increased incidence of kids accidentally unintentionally overdosing on cannabis.

4. There is not much evidence to prove that cannabis causes work-related injuries.

5. Marijuana can affect your immune system, but there is very little evidence to prove that it can strengthen your immune system and help you fight infections, or if it is bad for people with HIV.

6. Smoking cannabis regularly could result to chronic phlegm production and cough. There is no definitive conclusion on whether marijuana can cause or aggravate asthma, COPD, and other respiratory diseases.

7. Cannabis use can impair memory, attention, and learning in the short term. What's more, there is a relationship between adolescent marijuana use and problems in school, employment, and social relationships. It can also make you more likely to develop psychosis. Heavy users, on the other hand, are more in danger of greater symptoms if they have bipolar disorders, and have higher risks of social anxiety disorder, as well as suicidal thoughts.

When it comes to the health benefits and other issues regarding cannabis, misinformation abounds in both sides of the aisle. CannabizDaily.co aims to provide you with the information that you need to make informed decisions about marijuana.