Marijuana as a Holistic Medical Treatment

Posted by joshsimmons on 01-25-2008 in Should Marijuana be legalized?

Evidence in the debate on the legalization of marijuana is heavily in favor of legalization. And, there are economic, political, and perhaps even moral dealings in this debate. However, my expertise lies in the horticultural, chemical, and medical aspects of marijuana and medical usage is perhaps the most compelling argument for legalization and therefore will be my focus.

Cannabis sativa has several subspecies and variants: sativa var. sativa ('sativa'), sativa var. spontanea (sometimes called 'ruderalis'), indica var. indica ('indica'), indica var. kafiristanica (sometimes called 'afghanica'). Each has a different chemical profiles with varying levels of chemicals called cannabinoids. The cannabinoids of interest include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN). These chemicals work in most animals by binding to cannabinoid receptors, of which there are two types (CB1 and CB2).

CB1 receptors are mostly found in the brain and the reproductive systems. Note that CB1 receptors are generally absent from the part of the brain responsible for respiratory and cardiovascular functions, which is a risk associated with many drugs. CB2 receptors are almost exclusively found in the immune system and are concentrated in the spleen. The various cannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBN) have specific affinities for the two different cannabinoid receptors. These affinities in conjunction with the array of chemical profiles in the subspecies of cannabis are responsible for wide range of effects that marijuana has for people.

THC is the chemical responsible for the psychoactive effects of C. sativa, and has been shown to ease moderate pain and prevent degeneration of neurons in the brain (at extremely high concentrations, THC inhibits the formation of plaque, the cause of Alzheimer's disease). CBD, which is known to moderate the psychoactive effects of THC, does not bind to either CB1 or CB2 receptors directly, but it does block the effects of cannabinoid agonists through unknown mechanisms. CBD helps to relieve convlusion, inflammation, anxiety, nausea, improve alertness, and recently was found to help control the spread of metastatic breast cancer. CBN is an oxidation product of THC and is the chemical associated with the sedative or stupefying effects of some marijuana.

The medical uses of THC are documented, in fact, there's already a pharmaceutical on market called Marinol which contains dronabinol (aka, THC). Marinol is FDA approved and prescribed as an appetite stimulant, anti-nauseant. However, Marinol is described as being acutely psychedlic and is also known to trigger psychosis in at risk individuals, confirming a study published in 2007 by The Lancet, a British medical journal, that indicated marijuana users had a greater risk of developing psychosis, although the risk was most pronounced in individuals already considered to be at risk of developing psychosis.

While Marinol is an effective appetite stimulant and anti-nauseant for AIDS and cancer patients, the risk of concentrated THC triggering psychosis in at risk individuals renders it unusable. A two-year study in which rodents were given THC showed reduction of body mass, enhanced survival rates, decreased tumor incidents in hormonally-controlled organs. It also caused testiculor atrophy, uterine and ovarian hypoplasia, hyperactivity, and convulsions immediately after administration.

The combination of cannabinoids offered in C. sativa plants elicits safer and more balanced results than it's pharma-cousin, Marinol. In the specific case of individuals identified as at risk for developing psychosis, indica-ruderalis cross breeds can be used to affect appetite stimulation and nausea reduction without the risk of triggering psychosis. C. sativa offers a safe and holistic way to achieve many positive medical results.

The method of consumption of C. sativa also has come under medical scrutiny, specifically the act of smoking is known to be particularly irritating and harmful to the lungs. However, a wide variety of alternatives to smoking exist which are not suspect to health concerns.

Medical marijuana has been used to treat many things successfully including: anxiety, depression, nausea, glaucoma, reduced appetite, ADHD, pain, cancerous cell growth, and more. What's more, is that this only deals with the medical aspects of marijuana. Let us not forget that there are economic and social arguments for legalization as well.

We live in a backwards world, the question shouldn't be "should marijuana be legalized?" If anything, the question should be whether or not it should be illegal, but the drug czars, tobacco companies, and propagandizing politicians embarked on an epic mud slinging campaign early in the last century.