In Chapter 8 of Medical Sociology, Cockerham discusses the subject of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). He points out that there is a growing interest in these therapies even though there is little clinical research to validate reported results. The trend toward CAM interventions is so widespread that the Institutes of Health has established a National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).

This question is comprised of two parts. (25 points) (A 1½-page response is required for the combination of Parts A and B.)

Part A - Go to the NCCAM Web site (http://nccam.nih.gov) and research two (2) CAM therapies. You can choose any two (2) therapies that interest you. You are to describe the results of your research, focusing on the reported safety and efficacy of the therapies. You should prepare a summary of each therapy you researched.

Part B - Prepare a comparative analysis of two (2) safety and two (2) efficacy issues between the CAM interventions you researched in Part A and the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The analysis should include your conclusions and justifications on whether or not the medicinal uses of marijuana should be treated as a legitimate CAM.