Medical Marijuana: Disability and Health Uses

Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2022/04/13
Category Topic: Medical Marijuana and Cannabis (Publications Database)

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Subtopics

Synopsis: Information including legal use of marijuana and cannabis by humans for recreation use and medical use for pain, psychological, and medicinal purposes. Medical Cannabis, also known as Medical marijuana, refers to the use of cannabis and its constituent cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), as medical therapy to treat disease or alleviate symptoms most notably as an antiemetic - a drug that is effective against vomiting and nausea.

Introduction

What is Medical Cannabis?

Medical Cannabis, also known as Medical marijuana, refers to the use of cannabis and its constituent cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), as medical therapy to treat disease or alleviate symptoms most notably as an antiemetic - a drug that is effective against vomiting and nausea.

Main Document

In the 1970s, a synthetic version of THC, the primary active ingredient in cannabis, was synthesized to make the pharmaceutical product drug, Marinol. Marinol is widely available through prescription. It comes in the form of a pill and is also being studied by researchers for suitability via other delivery methods, such as an inhaler or patch. The active ingredient of Marinol is synthetic THC, which has been found to relieve the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy for cancer patients and to assist with loss of appetite with AIDS patients.

Marijuana is one of the most beneficial and therapeutically active substances known to man. The cannabis plant has been used for medicinal purposes for approximately 4,000 years. Writings from ancient India confirm that its psychoactive properties were recognized, and doctors used it for a variety of illnesses and ailments. These included a whole host of gastrointestinal disorders, insomnia, headaches and as a pain reliever frequently used in childbirth. Its usage in modern times is controversial.

Continued below image.

Continued...

List of Medical Marijuana and Cannabis Laws in Various Countries

Few herbs can offer a wide variety of therapeutic applications like these:

• Relief of muscle spasms
• Relief of chronic pain
• Reduction in interlobular pressure inside the eye
• Suppression of nausea
• Weight loss - increase and restore metabolism

Other Uses Include:

• AIDS - Marijuana can reduce the nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting from the condition itself and the medications as well.
• Glaucoma - Marijuana relieves the internal eye pressure of glaucoma, and therefore relieving the pain and slowing or even stopping the condition.
• Cancer - Many side effects of the medication to stop cancer can be relieved with Marijuana, some studies suggest that Marijuana tends to slow down the progress of some types of cancer.
• Multiple Sclerosis - Muscle pain, spasticity, tremors, and unsteadiness are some effects caused by the disease that can be relieved by Marijuana.
• Epilepsy - in some patients, epileptic seizures can be prevented with Marijuana use.
• Chronic pain - Marijuana helps to alleviate the pain caused from many types of injuries and disorders.
• Anxiety, Depression or Obsession - Even though mild anxiety is a common side effect in some users, cannabis can elevate your mood and expand the mind

"With the expansiveness that occurs with marijuana, the subject may begin to notice infinite possibilities to raise the quality of his/her life that would otherwise have remained hidden from normal, defensive consciousness. And feelings of health and happiness naturally lead to hope, which of itself can be curative." - Joan Bello

Recent studies have shown the drug to be efficacious in treating mood disorders and mental health issues such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, clinical depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and bipolar disorder. As a bronchodilator, it is beneficial for asthma patients. It can also reduce intraocular pressure and is indicated for glaucoma. In addition, it is also indicated for premenstrual syndrome, hypertension, and insomnia, and is also reported to be an effective treatment for constipation and alcohol hangovers.

Cannabis also acts as an antispasmodic and anticonvulsant and is indicated for neurological conditions such as epilepsy especially complex partial seizures, multiple sclerosis, and spasms. As an analgesic and an immunomodulator, it is indicated for conditions such as migraine, arthritis, spinal and skeletal disorders.

Medical marijuana can also benefit you psychologically and spiritually. Many obsessions or quick fixes to psychological problems can be elevated by Marijuana as well. Many people eat because they're depressed. If the depression is treated, the obsession to eat should be gone as well. Any of these physiological conditions can be treated by a psychiatrist; marijuana should be an alternative therapy, used with psychiatric therapy.

Marijuana can be used to enhance personal Spirituality. The herb tends to reveal your true self. It uncovers inner confusion and reveals your true direction - if you let it. Marijuana offers an effect that is both energizing and relaxing at the same time. This balanced effect will help some to think more clearly and more efficiently afterwards.

"Marijuana will not tolerate repression. Tranquilizers and depressants relax the body and release tension, but the state of mind associated with these drugs is "unconsciousness" whereby we escape rather than resolve our dilemmas. Alcoholism is an extreme need of both the body and personality, sometimes to release the nervousness that has accumulated and continues to build up to an unbearable degree. It serves the same function for the collective personality for the society, as well A culture in which alcohol and tranquilizers are the prevalent form of release prefers not to witness internal confusion and actually choose to act without conscious participation, maintaining a semi-numb condition." - Joan Bello

"Marijuana can act as the loosening agent, so that whatever has been banned from consciousness may come cascading forth. To uncover our deceptions without our usual rationalizations can be unpleasant, an experience that has turned many psychologically fragile individuals away from marijuana despite its therapeutic catharsis." - Joan Bello.

Physical Addictions

There have been testimonies from opiate users that report an easing of addiction cravings. Some cannabinoids in cannabis are believed to have similar effects as Ibogaine, a medication used to treat heroin addiction. The cannabinoids in Marijuana mimic the healing effects of a naturally occurring chemical in the brain called Anandimide. However, this naturally occurring cannabinoid also produces the negative effects that one would experience from high concentrations of cannabinoids in marijuana.

Country Medical Marijuana and Cannabis Laws