While we're tapping science, here's another tidbit from the world of math and white coats. One of the ailments most sneered at by those who think medical marijuana is a joke is chronic pain. The National Centers for Health Statistics notes that more than 76 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. That's more than the number of people who have diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. According to a paper published in the December issue of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, researchers at the University of California San Francisco found that cannabinoids (active ingredients in marijuana) administered with opiates (morphine and oxycodone) reduced pain more than opiates alone. This could lead to therapies in which doctors administer less of the highly addictive opiates. 

"Pain is a big problem in America, and chronic pain is a reason many people utilize the health care system," said the paper's lead author, Donald Abrams, MD, professor of clinical medicine at UCSF. "And chronic pain is, unfortunately, one of the problems we're least capable of managing effectively."

It was a small study and researchers have called for ... more research. However, it would be nice if those who sneer at folks treating their chronic pain with marijuana would just shut up and get behind more research too.

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