Fact: Medicinal marijuana has been used
since antiquity and its use prior to the 20th century has
been well documented.
In the 20th century the benefits of medicinal
marijuana use have been overshadowed by its more popular use
for euphoric purposes. Medicinal marijuana has also been blamed
for producing psychological and behavioral effects that have
concerned public officials since the drug first appeared.
It was subsequently banned in 1931.
Fact: Medicinal marijuana alleviates the chronic symptoms
of many diseases such as Fibromyalgia, AIDS wasting, spasticity
from multiple sclerosis, depression, chronic pain, and nausea
associated with chemotherapy.
The current debate over medicinal marijuana
use is essentially over the value of its medicinal properties
relative to the risk posed by its use.
The active ingredient in medicinal marijuana
is cannabinoid however it is the actual burning of plant material,
the combustion products rather than the cannabinoids that
purportedly are the source of health risk concerns. Government
officials and others have cited these risks as a major reason
for prohibiting or limiting the use of medicinal marijuana.
Outside the therapeutic properties of medicinal
marijuana you will find that most current prescriptions have
their roots either directly or indirectly in plant remedies.
Digitalis was discovered in foxglove, morphine
in poppies, and taxol in the yew tree. Even aspirin (acetylsalicylic
acid) has its counterpart in herbal medicine: for many generations,
American Indians relieved headaches by chewing the bark of
the willow tree, which is rich in a related form of salicylic
acid.
Current technologies do exist that could alleviate a major
concern about the medical use of medicinal marijuana however
more research is needed. Experiments have included devices
that are designed to release the active ingredients of medicinal
marijuana without actually burning the plant material.
It is hoped that soon, medicinal marijuana will be recognized
for its medicinal properties and become readily available
to the needing public. As with most medicines, convincing
the FDA can be a long and arduous process.
The contents of this site are for historical, educational, and scientific reference only. The possession and consumption of marijuana in most countries is illegal.
Copyright © 2002 Growing Marijuana Seeds
Warning: It is illegal to grow cannabis/marijuana
in most countries. You are advised against breaking the law.
