Marijuana is also referred to as pot, grass and weed but its formal name is in fact cannabis. It comes from the leaves and flowers of the plant recreational cannabis sativa. It's considered an illegal substance within the US and many countries and possession of marijuana is a crime punishable by law. The FDA classifies marijuana as Schedule I, substances which have a very high possibility of abuse as well as have no proven medical use. Over time several studies claim that some substances found in marijuana have medicinal use, especially in terminal diseases such as cancer and AIDS. This started a fierce debate over the positives and negatives of the usage of medical marijuana. To settle this debate, the Institute of Medicine published the famous 1999 IOM report entitled Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base. The report was comprehensive but did not give a clear cut yes or no answer. The opposite camps of the medical marijuana issue often cite a division of the report within their advocacy arguments. On the other hand, although the report clarified a lot of things, it never settled the controversy once and for all.

Marijuana is a naturally occurring herb and has been used from Latin America to Asia being an herbal medicine for millennia. Inside this day and age when the all natural and organic are important health buzzwords, a naturally occurring herb like marijuana may very well be more appealing to and safer for consumers than synthetic drugs.

Marijuana has strong therapeutic potential. Several studies, as summarized in the IOM report, have observed that cannabis may be used as analgesic, e.g. to treat pain. A number of studies showed that THC, a marijuana component is effective in treating chronic pain experienced by cancer patients. Alternatively, studies on acute pain such as those experienced during surgery and trauma have inconclusive reports. A few studies, also summarized within the IOM report, have demonstrated that some marijuana components have antiemetic properties and are, as a result, effective against nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects of cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Some researchers are convinced that cannabis has some therapeutic potential against neurological diseases for example multiple sclerosis. Specific compounds extracted from marijuana have strong therapeutic potential. Cannobidiol (CBD), an important component of marijuana, has been shown to have antipsychotic, anticancer and antioxidant properties. Other cannabinoids happen to be shown to prevent high intraocular pressure (IOP), a significant risk factor for glaucoma. Drugs that contain active ingredients present in marijuana but have been synthetically produced in the laboratory are already approved by the US FDA. One example is Marinol, an antiemetic agent indicated for nausea and vomiting affiliated with cancer chemotherapy. Its active ingredient is dronabinol, a synthetic delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Among the major proponents of medical marijuana will be the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), a US-based organization. Many health care professional societies and organizations have expressed their support. As being an example, The American College of Physicians, recommended a re-evaluation of the Schedule I classification of marijuana in their 2008 position paper. ACP also expresses its strong support for research in to the therapeutic role of marijuana as well as exemption from federal criminal prosecution; civil liability; or professional sanctioning for physicians who prescribe or dispense medical marijuana in accordance with state regulations. Similarly, protection from criminal or civil penalties for patients who use medical marijuana as permitted under state laws.

Medical marijuana is legally used in many developed countries The argument of if they can do it, why not us? is the one other strong point. Some countries, including Canada, Belgium, Austria, holland, the United Kingdom, Spain, Israel, and Finland have legalized the therapeutic usage of marijuana under strict prescription control. Some states within the US also are allowing exemptions.

Clinical studies on marijuana are few and hard to conduct as a result of limited funding and strict regulations. Because of the complicated legalities involved, few pharmaceutical businesses are investing in cannabinoid research. In lots of cases, it really is not clear how you can define medical marijuana as advocated and opposed by many groups. Does it only make reference to the utilization of the botanical product marijuana or does it include synthetic cannabinoid components (e.g. THC and derivatives) as well? Synthetic cannabinoids (e.g. Marinol) accessible in the market are extremely expensive, pushing people towards the greater affordable cannabinoid in the type of marijuana. As always, the issue is further clouded by conspiracy theories involving the pharmaceutical industry and drug regulators.

The future is here. And then for cannabis users, it is an alternative which is beginning to make sense. The e-liquids utilized in e cigs can be replaced with cannabis oil within the cartridge which uses the same methodology. Some brands even let users grind flowers so it may be used in the heating chamber which heats up without burning it. This activates the main ingredient without damaging the device. It's a nerdy way of using herb. Understanding this technology, which is not complicated by the way, for usage with marijuana was not meant for it in the first place. The classical way of using cannabis has seen a change and with vape pens, its set to go towards even the most unorthodox ways.