Marijuana, Depression, and California Proposition 215

Reader’s Question

I have been battling depression for about 2 years now. I’ve talked to counselors and even been on Lexapro at one time. I have read a ton of articles regarding marijuana use and depression and decided to give it a try. It significantly made a difference in the way I feel and my depression. I’ve also been reading a lot into Proposition 215 in California. Can you enlighten me and tell me about Marijuana and depression and if Prop 215 will gain national acceptance and help out the ones that live outside of California?

Our Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

Marijuana is not an antidepressant. Like alcohol, it is a suppressant that distracts folks from depression. There is a difference between feeling better and “high” and actually improving your personal and social functioning. In research, regular marijuana users are four times more likely to experience depressive symptoms than the general population. Keep in mind that a major issue in depression is the inability to function in our normal life roles. Being high on marijuana doesn’t change that symptom at all, actually creating more hours where we are nonfunctional — just feeling better about it. Alcohol intoxication creates the same distraction from depression but continues and actually increases the inability to function.

As for Proposition 215 in California, don’t hold your breath. Prop. 215 is designed to protect the use of marijuana in terminally-ill or seriously-ill patients. A physician must determine if the medical condition is appropriate for the Prop. 215 protection from criminal penalties. Some “appropriate” uses under Prop. 215 include:

• Nausea reduction in chemotherapy, cancer, and AIDS patients.
• Increasing appetite for patients with “wasting syndrome” (AIDS).
• Reducing eye pressure in glaucoma patients.
• Controlling or decreasing muscle spasms or muscle pain in specific neurological and medical conditions.

From what I understand, you still can’t obtain a prescription for marijuana. I would certainly not look to Proposition 215 as a defense if you are arrested for marijuana use. I’m not familiar with initiatives in other states to have similar legislation regarding marijuana.