Medical marijuana

Medical marijuana

In recent years, the debate on the use of marijuana for therapeutic purposes has grown considerably. This debate has involved all levels of government, civicorganizations, public health institutions, universities, society, andscientists. Out of the most common use that is smoking marijuana to feel its effects, there is much more in its components.

Medicinal marijuana or medicinal cannabis is the use of the active ingredients of the Cannabis sativa plant for pharmacological purposes. In other words, they are used to treat certain illnesses or some symptoms. It has been mentioned so far regarding medicinal marijuana. Of course, it is a topic that just began; thereare years of studies and scientific research left.

What are cannabinoids?

They are chemical substances which are entirely associatedwith the component known as THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. It is the main ingredient of the marijuana plant and is mostly responsible for the effects it generates on the human body.

In general, more than 100 cannabinoids have been identified. Many of these assets are capable of causing severeconsequences in the human body. Othershave therapeutic actions in controlled doses.

What are the active components of medical marijuana?

The research process is underway. However, the most studied active principles or cannabinoids are the following:

• Tetrahydrocannabinol:Colloquially known as THC, it is the main asset of the plant. This component has proven to be usefulas a large analgesic which can even be aneuroprotector. However, the property that has generated the mostinterest is that it can become a great treatment against Alzheimer’s because it blocks the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.

• Cannabidiol:This out the list of psychoactive people, by consuming a high amount of this active ingredient, it can help with the symptoms of schizophrenia. This component has been backed up through psychological tests. However, the studies are still ongoing, but it is knownthat it is CBD does not interfere with the actions of THC, sothat is a breakthrough in the face of marijuana medicine.

• Tetrahydrocannabivarin:Abbreviated as THCV, is an active ingredient found mainly in marijuana that occurs in the regions South Africa and South Asian-containing. The action of this is that it acts as an antagonist of the THC, that is to say, that decreases the
Psychoactiveeffects of the THC.

• Cannabichromene: It is one of the most recentlydiscovered, this component does not work as a psychoactive, and so far it is known that it does not influence the effects of THC. But there is also no more information regarding the functions that this asset has for the organism andthat isbeneficial.

Where is medical marijuana used?

It is important to know that medical marijuana is not only being usedsmoked, buttheir properties can be exploitedin other ways. It means that even cannabis meals have been made, just that the oral route is much lower than the dosage to be consumed.

In the same way, it is necessary to know that the cannabis can be consumedin vaporizers, in capsules, ointments or oral aerosols. These are the pharmaceutical forms that have started to be marketedin some countries. Undoubtedly, it is an issue that will be discussedfor many years.

Where has the use of medical marijuana been approved?

The ways which people can use them are a topic. In most countries of the world,it is still consideredan illegal drug.  The United States is one of the largest consumers; ithas progressed over the last few years. An example of this, there are some medicines in the market with active ingredients extracted from marijuana such as Dronabinol and Nabilone. In many cities of the United States its consumption is legal; in others, it is in a debate by politicians. Canada has been another country that has made progress on this issue since it has also allowed the sale of drugs such as Dronabinol. In Mexico,the problem ismore complicatedsince a limited group of people hasbeen able to have a legalright for their cultivation for medicinal purposes.

Its medical use is approvedin Argentina, Austria, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Holland, andthe CzechRepublic. As we mentioned before, it is a subject that is still going for long because in most countries it is still illegal to produce and commercialize marijuana, even for medicinal and non-recreational purposes.

Is medical marijuana useful in pregnancy?

Pregnant women often do some actions that could risk their pregnancy. For example,the consumption of marijuana during the nine months because the cannabinoids seek to reduce nauseathat in some cases are often intense.

However, it is not clear the picture regarding this use that thousands of women have given to marijuana. It is evidentthat women should not consume medical marijuana at any stage of pregnancy without prior authorization from their doctor.

The administration of medicinal marijuana may leave partial or permanent effects on the child, such as abnormalities in interaction with other people and difficulty learningsoif you need to think about it many times before consuming marijuana if you are a pregnant woman.