Some people suffer from chronic, debilitating disorders for which no conventional treatment brings relief. Can marijuana ease their symptoms? Would it be breaking the law to turn to marijuana as a medication? There are few sources of objective, scientifically sound advice for people in this situation. Most books about marijuana and medicine attempt to promote the views of advocates or opponents. To fill the gap between these extremes, authors Alison Mack and Janet Joy have extracted critical findings from a recent Institute of Medicine study on this important issue, interpreting them for a general audience. Marijuana As Medicine? provides patientsâ€"as well as the people who care for themâ€"with a foundation for making decisions about their own health care. This empowering volume examines several key points, including: Whether marijuana can relieve a variety of symptoms, including pain, muscle spasticity, nausea, and appetite loss. The dangers of smoking marijuana, as well as the effects of its active chemical components on the immune system and on psychological health. The potential use of marijuana-based medications on symptoms of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and several other specific disorders, in comparison with existing treatments. Marijuana As Medicine? introduces readers to the active compounds in marijuana. These include the principal ingredient in Marinol, a legal medication. The authors also discuss the prospects for developing other drugs derived from marijuana's active ingredients. In addition to providing an up-to-date review of the science behind the medical marijuana debate, Mack and Joy also answer common questions about the legal status of marijuana, explaining the conflict between state and federal law regarding its medical use. Intended primarily as an aid to patients and caregivers, this book objectively presents critical information so that it can be used to make responsible health care decisions. Marijuana As Medicine? will also be a valuable resource for policymakers, health care providers, patient counselors, medical faculty and studentsâ€"in short, anyone who wants to learn more about this important issue.

Significant changes have taken place in the policy landscape surrounding cannabis legalization, production, and use. During the past 20 years, 25 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis and/or cannabidiol (a component of cannabis) for medical conditions or retail sales at the state level and 4 states have legalized both the medical and recreational use of cannabis. These landmark changes in policy have impacted cannabis use patterns and perceived levels of risk. However, despite this changing landscape, evidence regarding the short- and long-term health effects of cannabis use remains elusive. While a myriad of studies have examined cannabis use in all its various forms, often these research conclusions are not appropriately synthesized, translated for, or communicated to policy makers, health care providers, state health officials, or other stakeholders who have been charged with influencing and enacting policies, procedures, and laws related to cannabis use. Unlike other controlled substances such as alcohol or tobacco, no accepted standards for safe use or appropriate dose are available to help guide individuals as they make choices regarding the issues of if, when, where, and how to use cannabis safely and, in regard to therapeutic uses, effectively. Shifting public sentiment, conflicting and impeded scientific research, and legislative battles have fueled the debate about what, if any, harms or benefits can be attributed to the use of cannabis or its derivatives, and this lack of aggregated knowledge has broad public health implications. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids provides a comprehensive review of scientific evidence related to the health effects and potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis. This report provides a research agendaâ€"outlining gaps in current knowledge and opportunities for providing additional insight into these issuesâ€"that summarizes and prioritizes pressing research needs.

The medical use of marijuana is surrounded by a cloud of social, political, and religious controversy, which obscures the facts that should be considered in the debate. This book summarizes what we know about marijuana from evidence-based medicineâ€"the harm it may do and the relief it may bring to patients. The book helps the reader understand not only what science has to say about medical marijuana but also the logic behind the scientific conclusions. Marijuana and Medicine addresses the science base and the therapeutic effects of marijuana use for medical conditions such as glaucoma and multiple sclerosis. It covers marijuana's mechanism of action, acute and chronic effects on health and behavior, potential adverse effects, efficacy of different delivery systems, analysis of the data about marijuana as a gateway drug, and the prospects for developing cannabinoid drugs. The book evaluates how well marijuana meets accepted standards for medicine and considers the conclusions of other blue-ribbon panels. Full of useful facts, this volume will be important to anyone interested in informed debate about the medical use of marijuana: advocates and opponents as well as policymakers, regulators, and health care providers.

It has been widely documented that the use of marijuana has been used to help with seizures, pain, and nausea from several diseases. The FDA is yet to recognize the marijuana plant as medicine simply because not enough clinical trials support it as a finding. However, according to the National Institute of Health, two FDA-approved medications that contain cannabinoid chemicals are available in pill form. This relevant volume examines how various forms of marijuana have been used throughout history to treat illnesses, how marijuana works to heal various ailments in the present day, and dissects the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes.

For hundreds of years cannabis has been used as a therapeutic medicine around the world. Cannabis was an accepted medicine during the second half of the 19th century, but its use declined because single agent pain medications were advocated by physicians who demanded standardization of medicines. It was not until 1964 when the chemical structure of THC (delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol) was elucidated and its pharmacological effects began to be understood. Numerous therapeutic effects of cannabis have been reviewed, but cannabis-based medicines are still an enigma because of legal issues. Many patients could benefit from cannabinoids, terpenoids and flavonoids found in Cannabis sativa L. These patients suffer from medical conditions including chronic pain, chronic inflammatory diseases, neurological disorders, and other debilitating illnesses. As more states are legalizing medical cannabis, prescribers need a reliable source which provides clinical information in a succinct format. This book focuses on the science of cannabis as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplement. It discusses cannabis uses in the human body for bone health/osteoporosis; brain injury and trauma; cancer; diabetes; gastrointestinal conditions; mental health disorders; insomnia; pain; anxiety disorders; depression; migraines; eye disorders; and arthritis and inflammation. There is emphasis on using the whole plant — from root to raw leaves and flowers discussing strains, extraction and analysis, and use of cannabis-infused edibles. Features: Provides an understanding of the botanical and biochemistry behind cannabis as well as its use as a dietary supplement. Discusses endocannabinoid system and cannabinoid receptors. Includes information on antioxidant benefits, pain receptors using cannabinoids, and dosage guidelines. Presents research on cannabis treatment plans, drug-cannabis interactions and dosing issues, cannabis vapes, edibles, creams, and suppositories. Multiple appendices including a glossary of cannabis vocabulary, how to use cannabis products, a patient guide and recipes as well as information on cannabis for pets.