A "comparison" (if you can even call it that) is not being drawn between Thalidomide & Medical Cannabis, but rather the mindset behind users leading to the exploration of a new ailment.
If they did draw a direct comparison, you'd better believe lawyers would be loving the fees suing the pants off 'em!
You've picked the two sentences that are purposely put in there to put people offside, which are worded as close to as can be to a comparison without being so - due to legalities.
There is no empirical data in that article to back up anything. and instead uses a vague reference to the 'British Medical Journal' as its logic. Being *, I can guarantee this is also taken out of context.
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