Can marijuana be used as a medical use?

Answer 1

Summary: Human Studies on Medical Uses of Marijuana

There have been hundreds of studies on the medical uses of cannabis since its introduction to western medicine in the early nineteenth century. A review of the literature reveals over 65 human studies, most of them in the 1970s and early '80s.

* The best established medical use of smoked marijuana is as an anti-nauseant for cancer chemotherapy. Marijuana's efficacy was demonstrated in studies by half a dozen states, involving hundreds of subjects. Most research has found smoked marijuana superior to oral THC (Marinol). Many oncologists are currently recommending marijuana to their patients. * Marijuana is widely used to treat nausea and appetite loss associated with AIDS, but the government has blocked research in this area. Studies have shown that marijuana helps improve appetite, and Marinol has been FDA approved for treatment of AIDS wasting syndrome. Nearly 10,000 PWAs were reported to be using marijuana through the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers' Club. However, the government has blocked efforts by Dr. Donald Abrams of the University of California at San Francisco to proceed with an FDA-approved study of marijuana and AIDS wasting syndrome, by refusing to grant him access to research marijuana. Research is badly needed on the relative merits of smoked and oral marijuana versus Marinol. * There is much evidence, largely anecdotal, that marijuana is useful as an anti-convulsant for spinal injuries, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and other diseases. Similar evidence suggests marijuana may be useful as an analgesic for chronic pain from cancer and migraine as well as for rheumatism and a variety of auto-immune diseases. There is a conspicuous lack of controlled studies in this area; further research is needed. * Cannabidiol, a constituent of natural marijuana not found in Marinol, appears to have distinctive therapeutic value as an anti-convulsant and hypnotic, and to counteract acute anxiety reactions caused by THC. * It has been established that marijuana reduces intra-ocular pressure, the primary object of glaucoma therapy. Due to its psychoactivity, however, marijuana has not gained widespread acceptance in this application. * Many patients report using marijuana as a substitute for more addictive and harmful psychoactive drugs, including prescription painkillers, opiates, and alcohol. Marijuana and Marinol have also been found useful as a treatment for depression and mood disorders in Alzheimer's and other patients. More research is needed.

Refer to:

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4393

Answer 2

Marijuana is used as an anti-emisis which basically means that it is against vomiting. People who go through chemo therapy have a hard time keeping their food down. Some Dr.s have recommended marijuana to help these patients keep their food down and eat. Other medical uses for marijuana are said to be for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and it is also said to help reduce pressure behind the eyes for a Glaucoma patient. Although Marijuana can be used medicinally; a patient has to take into consideration the negative effects (ie: the cancer causing agents from the smoke: carcinogens).

Answer 3

It certainly does! There are two main components that is most talked about in regards to marijuana, THC and CBD. THC is the controversial one, as it is the psychoactive part of marijuana which causes the high feeling. Meanwhile, CBD is the medical part of marijuana. Medicinally, the THC levels are typically lowered and focused on higher CBD levels.

What exactly does this CBD do medically, though? All sorts of stuff! There is plenty of research out there in which can verify a multitude of these uses, including seizures, cancer, depression, anxiety, PTSD, Alzheimer's, and more! I'll go into each individually.

Seizures/Epilepsy

Marijuana has shown significant improvement in those with severe seizures. For example, there were people who were studied who had up to 300 seizures a week, and after being treated with marijuana (not necessarily smoked, may also be edible, as well as an oil-extract. Remember, the point is not to get high, it is to treat the patient with their problem), their seizures would go significantly down to maybe only once or twice a week. This has been heavily studied, and there are multiple cases just like this one.

Cancer

There are multiple studies, including the DEA themselves, who cite that marijuana usage helps cancer patients with the side effects as well as the pain. While it isn't necessarily proven to be a cure, it definitely helps suppress the side effects, and makes living with cancer a lot easier for those who have it.

Answer 4

As far as I know, the answer is Yes, depending on where you live in Canada, or the United States.