Medical Marijuana 101. Ed Rosenthal

by the U.S. government for research is clearly of lesser quality and potency than the marijuana commonly available from public dispensaries for legal medicinal use. The consistency of the samples and the strains also affects the outcome of the research. These hurdles make the federal government’s position quite clear regarding its overall concern for legitimate medicinal marijuana research: It doesn’t want to discover or distribute the truth.

      Still, a large body of peer-reviewed controlled studies indicate the great potential for medicinal marijuana. Only when the stranglehold on marijuana research is ended will researchers be free to explore all its potential medical benefits.

       How do I know if marijuana is a good medicine for me?

      Maybe you’ve tried marijuana in the past but never really considered its medicinal qualities. Or maybe you’ve never tried marijuana. The first issue to consider is medical need. Do you have a condition that use of marijuana might benefit? Chapter 3 considers specific conditions for which marijuana can be helpful.

      It is your decision to make, and ultimately it is your health at stake.

      Always discuss whether marijuana is a good choice with a trusted medical professional. Be aware of local laws and learn about the drug testing regimen used by employers. Because marijuana is reemerging into society as a legitimate medicine, it is less taboo than it once was, but there are still social and cultural factors that may affect your decision. Friends’ and family’s concerns and misunderstandings can be overcome with basic education, but you still may experience skepticism from people who have spent their lifetimes hearing that marijuana is a “dangerous,” “illicit” drug only used by felons and reprobates. It is your decision to make, and ultimately it is your health at stake.

      Your decision may be influenced by the knowledge that many people find great relief from this natural and powerful plant. Don’t decide hastily or under pressure. If marijuana makes you feel better chances are it is a good choice for you. If it is does not contribute to your well being, however, or if you experience adverse effects when using it, it is obviously not a good option for you. If using marijuana will cause you to lose your job or alienate your loved ones, it’s obviously not a good alternative for you. Only you can answer these questions and make the best decision for your situation.

Chapter 2

       The Medical Effects of Marijuana and the Science Behind It

      Why does marijuana make you feel better? Marijuana contains hundreds of natural chemical compounds, many of which possess psychoactive and therapeutic properties that work within your body to produce positive effects that support healing. Whether you inhale or ingest marijuana, its active ingredients make their way to your blood stream and interact with your body to produce beneficial effects. The chemical compounds that make marijuana an effective medication are called cannabinoids.

       What is a cannabinoid?

      You’ve heard the term THC in reference to marijuana. THC is short for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the most prominent psychoactive cannabinoid found in marijuana. Cannabinoids are pharmacologically active compounds. THC is one of them. When you use marijuana, the cannabinoids find their way to their target, your body’s cannabinoid receptors. The cannabinoids bind to one of the receptors. This might make you feel euphoric and relieves the symptoms of your medical condition.

       THE CANNABINOIDS

      The major active chemical compounds found in marijuana are:

       DELTA-9-TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL (Δ9-THC): THC is the most psychoactive cannabinoid found in marijuana. THCA (tetrahy-drocannabinolic acid) is highly concentrated in the flowering clusters or buds. It converts to the more active form, THC, as it dries.

       CANNABIDOL (CBD): CBD is the second most predominant cannabinoid in marijuana. This compound continues to provoke interest for its therapeutic value. It has little or no psychoactive properties. Researchers and patients have begun to focus on the beneficial effects of using THC and CBD together, as well as on CBD’s individual effect on diseases and afflictions. CBD reduces anxiety and panic in some patients. It is an anti-inflammatory, sedative, and a neuroprotective agent. Medical demand is high for CBD-rich strains so marijuana breeders have begun to producing high CBD levels plants. Entire websites (such as www.ProjectCBD.org) are dedicated to the understanding of this cannabinoid and its positive effects on human health.

       CANNABIGEROLIC ACID: a chemical precursor to THC and CBD

       CANNABINOL (CBN): The third most prevalent chemical compound in marijuana, cannabinol is the incidental product of the chemical breakdown of THC. You may find higher levels of CBN in improperly stored marijuana resulting in weakened, diminished medical effect.

       TERPENOIDS: These plant-produced odor molecules result in marijuana’s distinct aroma. They affect the quality of the experience by altering THC’s effects. They determine whether the effect is relaxing, energizing or bubbly. The terpenoids alter the effects of the cannabinoids pharmacologically.

       FLAVONOIDS: Marijuana has over 20 known flavonoids, a large class of water-soluble plant pigments that contribute to plant color. Marijuana has unique flavonoids—dubbed cannaflavins—that have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Flavonoids may immobilize viruses and allergens. Studies have demonstrated their carcinogenic properties as well.

       How does your body process marijuana?

      The effects of marijuana are produced by a cannabinoid receptor system in your body consisting of at least two receptor types: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are found exclusively in the brain. They are concentrated in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex (see illustration on p. 16), which control memory and cognition. CB1 receptors interact with marijuana’s active compounds to produce its psychoactive effects including the euphoric, blissful state that often makes pain more manageable.

CB2 receptors are termed “peripheral receptors” because they are found outside the brain, primarily in the immune system and organs, especially the spleen and in white blood cells. They may be responsible for the cannabinoids’ other effects, including the reduction of inflammation. Some studies indicate beneficial effects from marijuana on neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases.

      The cannabinoid receptor system is where marijuana becomes medicine.

      The cannabinoid receptor system is where