Medicinal use of cannabis in the United States: Historical perspectives, current trends, and future directions

Abstract

Cannabis (marijuana) has been used for medicinal purposes for millennia, said to be first noted by the Chinese in c. 2737 BCE. Medicinal cannabis arrived in the United States much later, burdened with a remarkably checkered, yet colorful, history. Despite early robust use, after the advent of opioids and aspirin, medicinal cannabis use faded. Cannabis was criminalized in the United States in 1937, against the advice of the American Medical Association submitted on record to Congress. The past few decades have seen renewed interest in medicinal cannabis, with the National Institutes of Health, the Institute of Medicine, and the American College of Physicians, all issuing statements of support for further research and development.The recently discovered endocannabinoid system has greatly increased our understanding of the actions of exogenous cannabis. Endocannabinoids appear to control pain, muscle tone, mood state, appetite, and inflammation, among other effects. Cannabis contains more than 100 different cannabinoids and has the capacity for analgesia through neuromodulation in ascending and descending pain pathways, neuroprotection, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. This article reviews the current and emerging research on the physiological mechanisms of cannabinoids and their applications in managing chronic pain, muscle spasticity, cachexia, and other debilitating problems.

Pharmacy students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding cannabis for medical purposes

“…Although cannabis contains numerous bioactive constituents, cannabinoids (such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) -responsible also for marijuana's psychoactive eff ects and cannabidiol (CBD)) are the most potent components of the plant. Research studies demonstrate some benefi ts for the use of medical marijuana for conditions such as severe nausea and vomiting, glaucoma, anorexia, chronic pain, and spasticity related to diseases such as multiple sclerosis [4][5][6][7][8].…”

S100A10 identified in a genome-wide gene × cannabis dependence interaction analysis of risky sexual behaviours

“…Cannabis use has been proposed as a treatment for wasting syndrome in patients with HIV/AIDS, 44 and cannabis users with HIV/AIDS have been reported to have a high probability of RSB. [45][46][47] Thus, we investigated whether the variants identified may interact with CaD in association with STD and HIV status.…”

Aportes al debate de legalización del uso medicinal de la marihuana en Colombia

“…2) la segunda categoría se refiere a información derivada de ensayos clínicos no controlados, con limitaciones metodológicas [10, 47] los cuales refieren su utilidad en el tratamiento de la epilepsia, hipo intratable [49], depresión [50], enfermedad bipolar [51] estados de ansiedad, dependencia al alcohol y opioides [52], enfermedad de Alzheimer, alergias y procesos inflamatorios [53].…”