Dr. Sanjay Gupta reverses stance on pot, apologizes for his criticism

In 2009, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, wrote an article for Time titled Why I Would Vote No On Pot. In it, he said he was amazed so many people were still pushing for the legalization of marijuana even though it has potentially addictive qualities.

“I’m here to tell you, as a doctor, that despite all the talk about the medical benefits of marijuana, smoking the stuff is not going to do your health any good.”

Now, in an article for CNN titled Why I Changed My Mind on Weed, Dr. Gupta explained he has reversed his medical and personal opinions of marijuana.

“I apologize because I didn’t look hard enough, until now,” said Dr. Gupta, who is working on a documentary called Weed. “I didn’t look far enough. I didn’t review papers from smaller labs in other countries doing some remarkable research, and I was too dismissive of the loud chorus of legitimate patients whose symptoms improved on cannabis.”

By looking beyond American medical research, Dr. Gupta said he discovered multiple cases where medical marijuana is “the only thing that works.” He added that current American medical research “paints a highly distorted picture,” because 94 percent of U.S. marijuana studies are designed to investigate harm. Meanwhile, only 6 percent of studies look into the medical benefits of marijuana.

Even though Dr. Gupta’s case was primarily for the integration of medical marijuana, he is no longer opposed to legalization within the general population. He adds he would allow his children to try it, but would encourage them to wait until their mid 20s when their brains are fully developed. Dr. Gupta has even tried pot — although he isn’t a personal fan.

One of Dr. Gupta’s main points in his 2009 article was that marijuana is addictive. In the course of his research, he discovered that was true — albeit it on a lesser scale than he originally believed.

“Marijuana leads to dependence in around 9 to 10 percent of its adult users. By comparison, cocaine, a schedule 2 substance ‘with less abuse potential than schedule 2 drugs’ hooks 20 percent of those who use it. Around 25 percent of heroin users become addicted,” he said. “The worst is tobacco, where the number is closer to 30 percent of smokers, many of whom go on to die because of their addiction.”

Dr. Gupta concludes there is still a great void in our knowledge of marijuana’s benefits. However, unlike in 2009, when he was willing to dismiss the benefits, he now is committed to genuine and honest examinations of marijuana.

Dr. Gupta’s documentary, Weed, premiere on CNN this Sunday at 8/7 p.m. CST.