Medical marijuana in HIV-positive patients: what do we know?

On November 4, 2008, our state passed the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA), which allows the medical use of marijuana for certain conditions and/or constellation of symptoms. This article will (1) review the current evidence that medical marijuana is useful for certain chronic conditions, particularly pain and wasting syndromes experienced by HIV-positive people; (2) discuss the adverse effects of marijuana; (3) summarize the new Michigan law and the challenges it poses for physicians, and (4) review the experience in California where medical marijuana has been legal since 1996.