Understanding the Effects and Medical Uses of Cannabis (Marijuana)

Posted by Berkeley Patients Group on April 19th, 2021

California was the first state in the U.S to legalize marijuana for medical uses in 1996. Yet, in the United States, medical marijuana is controlled at the state level. According to the United States Controlled Substances Act, usage of medical marijuana outside of state laws for criminal or trespassing purposes is illegal. Besides California, fifteen other US states and Washington, D.C have also legalized the use of recreational marijuana. Many tax free cannabis dispensaries are working actively across Bay Area, helping patients with special conditions for which cannabis/Marijuana proved as an effective drug.

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis sativa, also known as hemp. It is a member of the Cannabinaceae family of plants. THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) is a chemical compound that is found in cannabis. It is believed that this chemical compound is responsible for the majority of the psychoactive effects that cannabis causes, including the "high" that is felt when it is ingested. However, not all cannabis constituents are psychoactive.

What are the possible effects of Cannabis?

The effects of cannabis (marijuana) depend on the dosage, method of administration, previous experience, any other drug that is used parallel with cannabis.

It also includes the personal expectations, mood conditions, and social context in which the drug is used.

One of the prominent effects of cannabis (marijuana) is changes in consciousness. The consumer can feel "high," jubilant, calm, chatty, and exuberant after using the drug.

Increased pulse and heart rate, bloodshot eyes, blurred vision, and an increase in appetite are all common symptoms. Time and space experiences are skewed. The consumer can become more aware of their surroundings and have a more vivid sense of taste, sight, smell, and hearing.

What are the Medical Uses of Cannabis?

Cannabis (marijuana) remains a Schedule 1 controlled substance under federal law, research has increased the production and sale of synthetic prescription cannabinoid products.

Cesamet (nabilone) and Marinol (dronabinol) these drugs are to relieve nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment chemotherapeutic agents, and the latter is used for the improvement of appetite issues in AIDS patients.

Medical Cannabis (Medical Marijuana)

Marijuana is one of the most therapeutically active drugs. The latest rigorous studies depict that it has many clinical benefits. When marijuana is used for medicinal purposes, it is thought to have major medical benefits for patients suffering from cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, and chronic pain. Medical cannabis is most commonly used to relieve extreme or long-term pain, nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy (cancer treatments), and debilitating muscle spasms.

However, Patients may use medical marijuana for a variety of medical conditions, which vary by state law.

Medical marijuana is available in different varieties, including oil, tablet or capsule, vaporized liquid, nasal spray, and dried leaves and buds. These substances can be smoked or eaten as edibles.

There is a long list of medical conditions for which cannabis can help patients. Some of them are Parkinson's disease, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD), Epilepsy, Severe nausea, Spinal cord injury with spasticity, Cancer, Glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Inflammatory bowel disease, Multiple sclerosis, Muscle spasms, etc.

However, getting medical cannabis is not as simple as it looks. As per the state’s new rule, the Patient must have at least one medical condition out of the specific list of illnesses, for which cannabis can be consumed. Patients can only buy medicinal cannabis after receiving a diagnosis and a prescription from a doctor who recommends cannabis as an effective treatment option.