As the year progresses, it’s time to examine the evolving landscape of marijuana legislation in the United States. Despite the Drug Enforcement Administration still classifying marijuana as a Schedule I substance—indicating it has no accepted medical use—public opinion has shifted significantly since the late 1990s. A substantial majority of Americans now believe that medical marijuana should be legalized, and many also support the legalization of recreational use. Currently, 33 states have approved medical marijuana, and that figure increases when considering laws with limited access. But what do we truly understand about the scientific aspects of cannabis for medical purposes? There are certainly some promising benefits. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the NIH, acknowledges various medical applications for cannabis. However, the Schedule I classification complicates research efforts, making it challenging for scientists to obtain marijuana that meets the rigorous standards required for medical studies. Additionally, the cannabis plant contains hundreds of chemical compounds that may contribute to its therapeutic effects, yet pinpointing which specific elements are responsible remains elusive. A professor of neuroscience and psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai likened the situation to mixing 400 different pills in a drink and asking someone to consume it. More comprehensive research could illuminate the health benefits and potential risks associated with cannabis use. As with any psychoactive substance, there are dangers linked to misuse, including dependency and emotional challenges. Many healthcare professionals are eager to gain a deeper understanding of marijuana’s effects before making recommendations. Notably, a 2003 study demonstrated that marijuana could help prevent seizures in epileptic rats, highlighting its potential medical applications.
The medications effectively eliminate seizures in rats for approximately 10 hours. Cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component in marijuana, manage seizures by attaching to brain cells that regulate excitability and promote relaxation. Recent studies involving humans indicate that cannabidiol (CBD), another significant compound found in marijuana, appears to assist individuals with epilepsy that does not respond to conventional treatments. There is considerable evidence suggesting that marijuana does not harm lung health, unless combined with tobacco use. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that marijuana not only maintains lung function but may actually enhance lung capacity. Researchers investigating heart disease risk factors assessed the lung function of 5,115 young adults over two decades. While tobacco smokers experienced a decline in lung function, cannabis users demonstrated an increase in lung capacity. This improvement might be attributed to the deep inhalation technique used when smoking rather than any therapeutic properties of the substance itself. Although these occasional users smoked only a few times a month, a more recent survey of daily cannabis smokers over a 20-year period found no evidence of lung damage. In the making of a documentary, a family shared their experience of treating their 5-year-old daughter with a medical marijuana strain that is high in CBD and low in THC. Researchers have identified at least two key active compounds in marijuana believed to have medicinal benefits, among the 79 known active compounds. These are CBD, which primarily affects the brain without inducing a high, and THC, known for its pain-relieving properties. The family’s daughter, Charlotte, suffers from Dravet Syndrome, which leads to frequent seizures and significant developmental challenges. According to the documentary, the treatment has reduced her seizures from 300 per week to just one every seven days.
A group of forty children in the state is currently using a specific strain of marijuana that is rich in CBD and low in THC to manage their seizures, and the results appear promising. Physicians advocating for this treatment explain that the cannabidiol found in the plant interacts with brain cells, helping to reduce the excessive electrical activity that triggers seizures. However, organizations such as as the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Drug Enforcement Administration do not officially support marijuana as a treatment for Dravet syndrome or other seizure disorders. Additionally, research from 2007 indicated that CBD might play a role in inhibiting the spread of certain cancers. The study, published in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, revealed that cannabidiol can deactivate a gene known as Id-1, which is produced in higher quantities by cancer cells compared to normal cells, facilitating their spread throughout the body. In laboratory experiments, researchers treated breast cancer cells with elevated Id-1 levels using cannabidiol, resulting in reduced Id-1 expression and less aggressive behavior in terms of spreading. It’s important to note, however, that these findings are based on laboratory studies rather than clinical trials involving cancer patients. Preliminary research on aggressive brain tumors in mice and cell cultures has also suggested that THC and CBD may slow down or reduce tumor growth when administered in appropriate doses, highlighting the need for further investigation into determining the optimal dosage.
A study conducted in 2014 revealed that marijuana has the potential to significantly hinder the growth of a specific type of brain tumor linked to 80% of malignant brain cancers in individuals. The documentary “WEED” also referenced several studies from the US, Spain, and Israel, indicating that cannabis compounds might even have the ability to eliminate cancer cells. Many medical marijuana users report that the substance alleviates pain and reduces nausea, which are the primary reasons it is often utilized to mitigate chemotherapy side effects. Research from Harvard Medical School in 2010 proposed that some benefits of marijuana could stem from its ability to lower anxiety, thereby enhancing mood and providing a sedative effect at lower doses. However, it’s important to note that higher doses may lead to increased anxiety and paranoia. Additionally, a study led by Kim Janda at the Scripps Research Institute suggests that marijuana might slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The 2006 research, published in Molecular Pharmaceutics, found that THC, the active component in marijuana, can impede the formation of amyloid plaques by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for their production. These plaques are believed to damage brain cells and contribute to Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, a synthetic combination of CBD and THC appears to help preserve memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s. Another study indicated that a THC-based prescription drug called dronabinol could alleviate behavioral issues in dementia patients based on population studies. While these findings are promising, they are still in the early stages, necessitating further investigation. Additionally, marijuana may provide relief from painful symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis, according to research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
The THC found in cannabis attaches to receptors in the nervous system and muscles, providing pain relief. Research indicates that this compound may also help manage muscle spasms. Additionally, various muscle spasms can be treated by doctors in North Carolina specializing in medical marijuana. Gupta discovered a teenager using medical cannabis to alleviate diaphragm spasms that were resistant to other strong prescribed medications. This condition, known as myoclonus diaphragmatic flutter or Leeuwenhoek’s Disease, leads to continuous spasms in the abdominal muscles, causing significant pain and hindering breathing and speech. For this patient, smoking marijuana appeared to quickly ease the spasms. Furthermore, marijuana might offer some relief for glaucoma, an eye condition that raises intraocular pressure, potentially harming the optic nerve and leading to vision loss. While there are debates about its overall effectiveness, the National Eye Institute notes that studies from the early 1970s demonstrated that smoking marijuana reduced intraocular pressure in both healthy individuals and those with glaucoma, although they still assert that pharmaceutical options are more effective. Currently, the medical community agrees that marijuana’s effect on intraocular pressure lasts only a few hours, but researchers are optimistic about developing a longer-lasting marijuana-based treatment. Additionally, patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis may find relief through marijuana use.
A 2010 study published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics revealed that compounds in marijuana, including THC and cannabidiol, interact with cells crucial for gut health and immune function. These findings suggest that THC-like substances produced by the body can increase intestinal permeability, allowing bacteria to enter, while cannabinoids from the cannabis plant can block these body-produced compounds, preventing this permeability.
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