Difference between revisions of "Medical marijuana"
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Critics doubt that there are any medicinal effects of marijuana, other than an overall effect sought by drug addicts. However, some studies show that Cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in marijuana, inhibits cancer cell growth in lab animals<ref>Mechoulam R., Peters M., Murillo-Rodriguez E., Hanus L.O. '''Cannabidiol - recent advances'''. <i>Chemistry & Biodiversity</i>. August 2007. Vol. 4, Issue 8. Page 1678-92. pmid=17712814. doi=10.1002/cbdv.200790147</ref>. Recent studies have shown cannabidiol to be as effective as [[atypical antipsychotics]] in treating [[schizophrenia]].<ref>Zuardi A.W., Crippa J.A.S., Hallak J.E.C., Moreira F.A., Guimarães F.S. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research [http://www.scielo.br/pdf/bjmbr/v39n4/6164.pdf Cannabidiol as an antipsychotic drug] (PDF) 2006. Vol. 39. Page 421-9. ISSN 0100-879X</ref>, and [[marijuana]] is commonly viewed as a natural alternative to any otherwise synthetic pharmaceutical drugs. It has also been shown to increase brain cell growth <ref>[http://www.peak.sfu.ca/the-peak/2005-3/issue9/ne-mj.html science: Study shows marijuana increases brain cell growth ]</ref> | Critics doubt that there are any medicinal effects of marijuana, other than an overall effect sought by drug addicts. However, some studies show that Cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in marijuana, inhibits cancer cell growth in lab animals<ref>Mechoulam R., Peters M., Murillo-Rodriguez E., Hanus L.O. '''Cannabidiol - recent advances'''. <i>Chemistry & Biodiversity</i>. August 2007. Vol. 4, Issue 8. Page 1678-92. pmid=17712814. doi=10.1002/cbdv.200790147</ref>. Recent studies have shown cannabidiol to be as effective as [[atypical antipsychotics]] in treating [[schizophrenia]].<ref>Zuardi A.W., Crippa J.A.S., Hallak J.E.C., Moreira F.A., Guimarães F.S. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research [http://www.scielo.br/pdf/bjmbr/v39n4/6164.pdf Cannabidiol as an antipsychotic drug] (PDF) 2006. Vol. 39. Page 421-9. ISSN 0100-879X</ref>, and [[marijuana]] is commonly viewed as a natural alternative to any otherwise synthetic pharmaceutical drugs. It has also been shown to increase brain cell growth <ref>[http://www.peak.sfu.ca/the-peak/2005-3/issue9/ne-mj.html science: Study shows marijuana increases brain cell growth ]</ref> | ||
| − | Opponents of [[drug abuse]] charge that efforts to legalize medical marijuana are intended to be a step towards complete decriminalization and generally decry marijuana as a "[[gateway drug]]". Many supporters of "medical marijuana" use marijuana recreationally. In California, medical marijuana is even available from [[vending machine]]s,<ref>[http://www.planetc1.com/cgi-bin/n/v.cgi?c=1&id=1236007310 Marijuana Medicine Practices Are Hazy and Confusing], Planet Chiropratic dot com</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,326634,00.html Medical marijuana vending machines take root in LA] Fox News</ref> similar to automated perscription dispensers at some [[pharmacies]] <ref> [http://www.scriptpro.com/products/spud/main.htm Scriptpro: Robotic Pharmaceutical Dispensing System]</ref>, except that the legality of dispensing marijuana this way is disputed by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Additionally, the seriousness of having a marijuana vending machine is off-set by the presence of a Bob Marley poster. Marley was a member of the Rastafari cult, which advocates the recreational use of the drug under the guise of "spiritual" reasons. | + | Opponents of [[drug abuse]] charge that efforts to legalize medical marijuana are intended to be a step towards complete decriminalization and generally decry marijuana as a "[[gateway drug]]". Many supporters of "medical marijuana" use marijuana recreationally. In California, medical marijuana is even available from [[vending machine]]s,<ref>[http://www.planetc1.com/cgi-bin/n/v.cgi?c=1&id=1236007310 Marijuana Medicine Practices Are Hazy and Confusing], Planet Chiropratic dot com</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,326634,00.html Medical marijuana vending machines take root in LA] Fox News</ref> similar to automated perscription dispensers at some [[pharmacies]] <ref> [http://www.scriptpro.com/products/spud/main.htm Scriptpro: Robotic Pharmaceutical Dispensing System]</ref>, except that the legality of dispensing marijuana this way is disputed by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Additionally, the seriousness of having a marijuana vending machine for supposedly medical reasons is off-set by the presence of a Bob Marley poster in at least one location. Marley was a member of the Rastafari cult, which advocates the recreational use of the drug under the guise of "spiritual" reasons. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 15:22, October 6, 2009
Medical marijuana is marijuana used for its (supposed) analgesic or otherwise therapeutic effects (see Glaucoma).
Critics doubt that there are any medicinal effects of marijuana, other than an overall effect sought by drug addicts. However, some studies show that Cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in marijuana, inhibits cancer cell growth in lab animals[1]. Recent studies have shown cannabidiol to be as effective as atypical antipsychotics in treating schizophrenia.[2], and marijuana is commonly viewed as a natural alternative to any otherwise synthetic pharmaceutical drugs. It has also been shown to increase brain cell growth [3]
Opponents of drug abuse charge that efforts to legalize medical marijuana are intended to be a step towards complete decriminalization and generally decry marijuana as a "gateway drug". Many supporters of "medical marijuana" use marijuana recreationally. In California, medical marijuana is even available from vending machines,[4][5] similar to automated perscription dispensers at some pharmacies [6], except that the legality of dispensing marijuana this way is disputed by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Additionally, the seriousness of having a marijuana vending machine for supposedly medical reasons is off-set by the presence of a Bob Marley poster in at least one location. Marley was a member of the Rastafari cult, which advocates the recreational use of the drug under the guise of "spiritual" reasons.
References
- ↑ Mechoulam R., Peters M., Murillo-Rodriguez E., Hanus L.O. Cannabidiol - recent advances. Chemistry & Biodiversity. August 2007. Vol. 4, Issue 8. Page 1678-92. pmid=17712814. doi=10.1002/cbdv.200790147
- ↑ Zuardi A.W., Crippa J.A.S., Hallak J.E.C., Moreira F.A., Guimarães F.S. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research Cannabidiol as an antipsychotic drug (PDF) 2006. Vol. 39. Page 421-9. ISSN 0100-879X
- ↑ science: Study shows marijuana increases brain cell growth
- ↑ Marijuana Medicine Practices Are Hazy and Confusing, Planet Chiropratic dot com
- ↑ Medical marijuana vending machines take root in LA Fox News
- ↑ Scriptpro: Robotic Pharmaceutical Dispensing System