Eriberto S.

Beduya III BSN 2Pharmacology

Benefits & Effects of Marijuana

What is medical marijuana?

Medical marijuana uses the marijuana plant or chemicals in it to treat diseases or conditions. It's basically
the same product as recreational marijuana, but it's taken for medical purposes.

Benefits of Marijuana
The marijuana plant contains more than 100 different chemicals called cannabinoids. Each one has a
different effect on the body. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main
chemicals used in medicine. THC also produces the "high" people feel when they smoke marijuana or eat
foods containing it.
"The greatest amount of evidence for the therapeutic effects of cannabis relate to its ability to reduce
chronic pain, nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, and spasticity [tight or stiff muscles] from MS,"
Bonn-Miller says.
How does it help?
Cannabinoids -- the active chemicals in medical marijuana -- are similar to chemicals the body makes that
are involved in appetite, memory, movement, and pain.
Limited research suggests cannabinoids might:
Reduce anxiety
Reduce inflammation and relieve pain
Control nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy
Kill cancer cells and slow tumor growth
Relax tight muscles in people with MS
Stimulate appetite and improve weight gain in people with cancer and AIDS

Can medical marijuana help with seizure disorders?

Medical marijuana received a lot of attention a few years ago when parents said that a special form of the
drug helped control seizures in their children. The FDA recently approved Epidiolex, which is made from CBD,
as a therapy for people with very severe or hard-to-treat seizures. In studies, some people had a dramatic
drop in seizures after taking this drug. 

What are the side effects of medical marijuana?

Side effects that have been reported include:
Bloodshot eyes, Depression, Dizziness, Fast heartbeat, Hallucinations, Low blood pressure
The drug can also affect judgment and coordination, which could lead to accidents and injuries. When used
during the teenage years when the brain is still developing, marijuana might affect IQ and mental function.

Because marijuana contains some of the same chemicals found in tobacco, there have been concerns that
smoking it could harm the lungs. The effects of inhaled marijuana on lung health aren't clear, but there's
some evidence it might increase the risk for bronchitis and other lung problems.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse says marijuana can be addictive and is considered a “gateway drug” to
using other drugs. "The higher the level of THC and the more often you use, the more likely you are to
become dependent," Bonn-Miller says. "You have difficulty stopping if you need to stop. You have cravings
during periods when you're not using. And you need more and more of it to have the same effect."  Learn
more about the long-term effects of marijuana use.
Another issue is that the FDA doesn't oversee medical marijuana like it does prescription drugs. Although
states monitor and regulate sales, they often don’t have the resources to do so. That means the strength of
and ingredients in medical marijuana can differ quite a bit depending on where you buy it. "We did a study
last year in which we purchased labeled edible products, like brownies and lollipops, in California and
Washington. Then we sent them to the lab," Bonn-Miller says. "Few of the products contained anywhere
near what they said they did. That's a problem."