cannabis as a medicine
“The biggest killer on the planet is stress and I still think the best medicine is and always has been cannabis.”
Willie Nelson, High Times, January 1991
Many recent studies seem to show that cannabis may have many medical applications - as treatment for some of our most serious conditions. It is the humble oppinion of this site that this information should be available to all who wish to view it. After all, most of us have or will be affected by these conditions - directly or indirectly - at some point in our lives.
It seems strange,therefore,that these studies and their results are rarely if ever reported in the mass media. We will for this reason try to print any credible reports as soon as we are aware of them.
Modern history
An Irish doctor, William O'Shaughnessy, was held mainly responsible for showing his Western colleagues about the healing properties of marijuana. He was a herb professor at the Medical College of Calcutta, and in conducted a marijuana experiment in the 1830s. O'Shaughnessy created preparations and tested animal effects. He continued on to administer this marijuana to patients in order to help treat muscle spasms or pain.[11]
Cannabis as a medicine became common throughout much of the world by the 19th century. It was used as the primary pain reliever until the invention of aspirin.[6] Modern medical and scientific inquiry began with doctors like O'Shaughnessy and Moreau de Tours, who used it to treat melancholia and migraines, and as a sleeping aid, analgesic and anticonvulsant.
By the time the United States banned cannabis in a federal law, the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act, the plant was no longer extremely popular.[citation needed] Skepticism about marijuana arose in response to the bill.[citation needed]
Later in the century, researchers investigating methods of detecting cannabis intoxication discovered that smoking the drug reduced intraocular pressure.[12]
In 1972 Tod H. Mikuriya, M.D. reignited the debate concerning marijuana as medicine when he published "Marijuana Medical Papers 1839-1972. "High intraocular pressure causes blindness in glaucoma patients, so many believed that using the drug could prevent blindness in patients. Many Vietnam War veterans also believed that the drug prevented muscle spasms caused by battle-induced spinal injuries. Later medical use has focused primarily on its role in preventing the wasting syndromes and chronic loss of appetite associated with chemotherapy and AIDS, along with a variety of rare muscular and skeletal disorders. Less commonly, cannabis has been used in the treatment of alcoholism and addiction to other drugs such as heroin and the prevention of migraines. In recent years, studies have shown or researchers have speculated that the main chemical in the drug, THC, might help prevent atherosclerosis.
Later, in the 1970s, a synthetic version of THC, the primary active ingredient in cannabis, was synthesized to make the drug Marinol. Users reported several problems with Marinol, however, that led many to abandon the pill and resume smoking the plant. Patients complained that the violent nausea associated with chemotherapy made swallowing pills difficult. The effects of smoked cannabis are felt almost immediately, and is therefore easily dosed.[13] Marinol (Jojel), like ingested cannabis, is very psychoactive, and is harder to titrate than smoked cannabis.[14] Marinol has also consistently been more expensive than herbal cannabis.[15] Some studies have indicated that other chemicals in the plant may have a synergistic effect with THC.[16]
In addition, during the 1970s and 1980s, six U.S. states' health departments performed studies on the use of medical marijuana. These are widely considered some of the most useful and pioneering studies on the subject.[citation needed] Voters in the following eight states showed their support for marijuana prescriptions given by physicians between 1996 and 1999: "Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington", going against policies of the federal government.[17]
In May 2001, "The Chronic Cannabis Use in the Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program: An Examination of Benefits and Adverse Effects of Legal Clinical Cannabis" (Russo, Mathre, Byrne et al) was completed. This three-day examination of major body functions of four of the five living US federal cannabis patients found "mild pulmonary changes" in two patients.[18]
synthetic weed ??? why????
Indications
Cannabis is most importantly indicated as an antiemetic for the treatment of nausea and anorexia associated with treatments for cancer, AIDS, and hepatitis. Cannabis also acts as an antispasmodic and anticonvulsant and is indicated for neurological conditions such as epilepsy especially complex partial seizures, multiple sclerosis, and spasms. As an analgesic and an immunomodulator it is indicated for conditions such as migraine, arthritis, spinal and skeletal disorders. As a bronchodilator it is beneficial for asthma. It also reduces the intraocular pressure and is indicated for glaucoma. Recent studies have shown the drug to be efficacious in treating mood disorders and mental health issues such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder, clinical depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, Crohn's Disease[19], and bipolar disorder.[3] It is also indicated for premenstrual syndrome, hypertension, and insomnia. It is also reported to be an effective treatment for constipation.
Amsterdam
According to a survey on the recommendation of cannabis in California,[20] cannabis is indicated for over 250 conditions.
