The use of medical cannabis in modern times is controversial, and in recent years the American Medical Association, MMA, the American Society for Addiction Medicine, and other medical organizations have issued statements against its use for medicinal purposes.

Overall, research says medical marijuana is safe and effective for managing chronic pain, relieving nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, treating AIDS-associated wasting syndrome, and managing muscle spasms due to multiple sclerosis. and epilepsy. Several studies have suggested that cannabinoids can stop the growth and spread of many types of cancers, including pancreatic, lung, leukemia, melanoma, oral, lymphoma, and other cancers. A significant proportion of oncologists support medical marijuana as an option for their patients.

There are several species of cannabis. They are:

Cannabis sativa: A strain found in Mexico and Central South America. The sativa plant is tall with narrow, serrated leaves. It has THC, the part of the plant that induces psychoactive substances, and the effects mainly affect the mind and emotions.

Cannabis Indica: A strain found in Asia and India and grown in the US The plant is short and stocky. The effects of indica are primarily physical and some emotional, including relaxation, sedation, and pain reduction.

Cannabis ruderalis: This variety is also called hemp and has no THC.

Hybrid cannabis strains: The result in cross pollination of various strains. The effects are usually stronger than the original strain.

Unlike many abused drugs, a marijuana overdose is not fatal, according to the National Cancer Institute. Although marijuana can be addictive for some, the potential for developing an addiction to marijuana is less than that of some prescription drugs and other drugs of abuse.

However, marijuana has side effects. The main psychoactive chemical in marijuana is THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, one of more than 60 cannabinoids (unique chemicals in marijuana). THC binds to cannabinoid receptors, which are concentrated in areas of the brain associated with thinking, memory, pleasure, coordination, and the perception of time.

Researchers believe that regular cannabis use may have neurotoxic effects on maturing brain structures. A 2012 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people who started smoking before age 18 showed a greater decline in IQ and cognitive functioning than people who started smoking as adults. What’s more, teen heavy users (an average of four or more times per week) who continued to smoke as adults experienced an 8-point drop in IQ that cannot be attributed to alcohol, other drugs, or less education.

The effects of marijuana can interfere with attention, judgment, and balance. Marijuana also suppresses the immune system, which can be harmful for many people, but helpful for others with certain health conditions. Although marijuana is known to lower the pressure inside the eyes, a symptom of the condition of glaucoma, research has shown that other drugs may be more effective.

Studies have produced conflicting results on whether smoking marijuana carries a significant risk of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, worldwide research on the benefits and side effects of marijuana compounds is ongoing. Some compounds in marijuana have already been made into pharmaceuticals.

Canada, New Zealand and several countries in Europe have approved a nasal spray, which uses purified cannabinoids derived from marijuana for the treatment of cancer pain and muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved two drugs made with synthetic cannabinoids, dronabinol and nabilone, that treat nausea and appetite problems in cancer and HIV patients. However, the FDA has not approved marijuana in its plant form as a treatment.

To conclude, it can be said that although Cannabis for the treatment of bad effects or serious or terminal illnesses may be an option, its use for pleasure or for non-serious purposes should be avoided.