What is Medicinal Cannabis

The theureputic use of marijuana has a history spanning over 5000 years and recently it has been found to have anti-oxidative and neuro-protectional properties.

Marijuana contains over 300 compounds. 60 of these are cannabinoids, which are the basis for medical and scientific use of cannabis.

THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. When used, either through ingestion or inhalation, THC binds to specific receptors in the brain called cannabinoid receptors.

The cannabinoids found in cannabis have three major properties which are medically useful. These are

• an analgesic (relieves pain)
• an anti-emetic (relieves nausea and vomiting)
• an appetite stimulant (induces hunger)

Three important cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant are

•  
• Cannabidiol (CBD)
• β-caryophyllene
• Cannabigerol

Cannabidiol (CBD)

CBD is a major constituent of medical cannabis. It represents upto 40% of the extracts of a medical cannabis plant and is a non-psychoactive ingredient. Cannabidol relieves convulsion, inflammation, anxiety, nausea, and inhibits cancer cell growth. Canabis Strains with a high CBD have been used to help people with MS, Frequent Anxiety Attacks and Tourette Syndrome.

β-caryophyllene

This compound is the mechanism of the cannabis plant that reduces tissue inflammation. A Cannabiniod receptor called CB2 plays a vital role in reducing inflammation in humans and animals. β-caryophyllene selectively activates the CB2 receptor and is especially concentrated in cannabis essential oil, which contains 12-35% β-caryophyllene

Cannabigerol

This is another cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. Like cannabidiol, cannabiogerol is not psychoactive but has been shown to lower blood pressure in rats.

Cannabis Sativa Plants

The cannabis sativa medicating effect is often characterized as uplifting and energetic. The effects of a sativa are mostly cerebral. They give a feeling of optimism and well being, as well as providing a good measure of pain relief for certain symptoms like those suffered by MS Sufferers.

Cannabis Indica Plants

The cannabis indica medicating effect ismost often described as a pleasant body tingle. Indicas are said to be good for relaxation and stress relief, and for overall sense of calm and serenity. Indicas are also effective for overall body pain relief and often used in treatment of insomnia. They have been said to help many patients as an all night sleep aid. Some pure indica strains are very potent in THC and give a couch lock effect and is favoured by some medicinal users who can’t slepp because of pain and cannot be treated by anything else.

WARNING!

Cannabis should not necessarily be viewed as a ‘harmless’ substance. Its active constituents may produce a variety of physiological and euphoric effects. As a result, there may be some populations that are susceptible to increased risks from the use of cannabis, such as adolescents, pregnant or nursing mothers, and people who have a family history of mental health problems. Patients with Hepatitus C, decreased lung function (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), or who have a history of heart disease or stroke may also be at a greater risk of experiencing adverse side effects from marijuana. As with any medication, patients should consult thoroughly with their physician before deciding whether the medicinal use of cannabis is safe and appropriate.

Cannabis is still illegal in most countries but there are special cases where it is legal to buy and use. Many countries have decriminalized cannabis possessions and use or downgraded marijuana laws but it’s still illegal in most cases. Here are some exceptions.

Most people think cannabis is a totally illegal substance but this is not always the case. While most countries have laws controlling the possessions and use of cannabis for recreational use, certain forms of the plant are legal as are certain uses. Essentially, in some countries, people are allowed to own and use cannabis for medical reasons, and to own seeds as long as they’re not germinated. Here’s your legal lowdown on marijuana possession and use.

Cannabis is a drug which was demonized in the last century. But the cannabis plant (also known as hemp or marijuana) was one of the world’s most important crops for millennia. It was used as to make clothes and paper, taken by mystics to gain transcendental experiences, and was widely used as a medicine to treat a wide range of conditions. Due its narcotic effects, cannabis was criminalized in most countries of the world during the 20th century. For example, in the United States, hemp became illegal in 1937.

However in recent decades there has been a softening of the law in certain countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark. These countries have decriminalized possession of small amounts for personal use while maintaining harsh laws against trafficking and dealing.

Cannabis has also been made legal for medical use in some places. Recognizing the properties of the drug to treat certain serious medical conditions, governments have made it available to sufferers under controlled conditions.

Cannabis shows considerable promise as a medicine. It has long been used as an analgesic for pain relief, an anti-emetic to relieve nausea, and as an appetite stimulant. These properties make it perfect for use with modern diseases such as HIV/AIDS in which patients frequently suffer from all of the above conditions. Cancer is another condition against which marijuana has been shown to be effective, particularly in the control of the severe nausea caused by chemotherapy. It as also been shown as being effective against Multiple Sclerosis and epilepsy.

Clearly any substance that can help people suffering from such serious conditions needs to be taken advantage of. And in many countries, this is happening. At the time of writing, medicinal marijuana is legal in Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Spain and in some parts of the United States. Marijuana use and possession is illegal under U.S. federal law. In the United States the control of medical marijuana is carried out on a state by state basis. For example, the states of Arizona and New Mexico require medical marijuana distributors to acquire licenses from the state. California and Maine are two states that distribute marijuana legally through dispensaries. In California, individuals can apply for a government-issued card for medicinal marijuana.

The UK downgraded the classification of cannabis from Class B to Class C in 2004 which meant that it now ranks alongside bodybuilding steroids and some anti-depressants.  Possession of cannabis is not now an arrest able offence in most cases.

However the medical use of marijuana is still prohibited in the UK though judges have frequently acquitted offenders who have been able to demonstrate a medical need. On the other hand, others have been prosecuted. It seems to depend on which part of the country the offender lives in. Essentially in the UK, a drug can only be supplied, possessed or administered under a special license issued by the Home Office.

Another factor to consider is that some authorities make a distinction as to which part of the plant is involved when determining legality. For example, the way things stand today, in the United States, it is legal to possess the roots, stalk, and stems of the cannabis plant. After all, who is going to arrest you for wearing a hemp shirt?

However the flowers, buds and leaves of the plant are illegal and its possession and possession and use can lead to severe penalties. As for the seeds, they’re legal as long as they’re sterilized.

In the UK, it’s legal to possess, trade or buy cannabis seeds and a number of online vendors now offer a wide range of strains for purchase over the Internet. These seeds are sold as fish bait and as genetic preservation souvenirs for the day when their germination will be legal. You can browse the site and find such specialties as homegrown fantaseeds and sensi seeds available for purchase. If you’re over the age of 21, you can just place your order and your seeds will be delivered by post.

Marijuana may be illegal in many places but the fact is that like most herbs, it offers a lot of beneficial healing properties. Marijuana is not just a recreational drug, it’s also a herbal powerhouse which can alleviate many symptoms such as nausea and lack of appetite. This way it can improve the quality of life for many people suffering from serious medical conditions.

The Medical Uses of Marijuana

Marijuana is an emotive topic. Some people consider it a harmless pleasure; others associate the word with pot heads and dope fiends. Or perhaps, like Bill Clinton, they experimented with it in their youth but now respect its illegal status. But controversy aside, the fact is that marijuana is a herb and like most such plants offers many medicinal benefits. Here’s a look at the properties of this drug and the many medical uses of marijuana.

Firstly, let’s look at what marijuana is, exactly.

Marijuana refers to the flowers, leaves and stalks of the cannabis plant. Other names include ganja or hemp. When compiled into a resin, it’s known as hashish or hash. Marijuana is mainly known as a psychoactive, recreational drug.

The main active component of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When inhaled or ingested, THC attaches to certain parts of the brain known as cannabinoid receptors. The result is the euphoria experienced by users of the drug.

As a herb it also possesses a number of medicinal properties. In fact, marijuana contains over 300 compounds, 60 of which are cannabinoids which are responsible for the plant’s medicinal properties. The main properties of cannabinoids for therapeutic purposes are analgesic (pain relieving), anti-emetic (nausea and vomiting relieving), and as an appetite stimulant.

In fact, before marijuana was branded an illegal drug, it had a long tradition of medical use. It first appears in print in a 2nd century Chinese medical tome and was used in the United States in the 18th century to treat insomnia, labour pains and as an appetite booster. And today, marijuana is still used therapeutically today in the Middle East and parts of Asia.

In countries such as the United States, it has been used in the treatment of chronic pain in conditions such as multiple sclerosis and the emergence of HIV/AIDS led to an increase in its therapeutic use. HIV sufferers can control the progress of the disease with anti viral drugs but tend to experience an array of unpleasant symptoms which marijuana is well equipped to alleviate. These symptoms include nausea and reduced appetite both from the disease itself as well as side effects of powerful anti-virals. People with HIV could use marijuana to stimulate appetite and to reduce nausea which can halt the progress to AIDS wasting, a serious stage in which the body tissue wastes away.

Marijuana can also relieve pain caused by peripheral neuropathy which causes burning and numbness in the hands and feet. And it may be useful to manage the anxiety and depression that accompanies a serious medical condition such as HIV/AIDS.

But all this doesn’t mean that marijuana is a safe substance. For all its medical benefits, marijuana does have its downside. It’s dangerous for pregnant or nursing mothers and those suffering from hepatitis C or with histories of heart disease or stroke. Marijuana has also been though to precipitate psychotic symptoms in people with a family history of mental problems.

Anyone considering the use of marijuana for medical purposes has to consider both legal and medical factors. The fact remains that in most countries it remains a controlled substance with harsh penalties for possession and use with certain exceptions. For example, in the UK, it’s legal to buy greenhouse seeds as souvenirs. It’s legal to buy seeds but not to germinate them. These green house seeds can be bought online and delivered by post. And of course certain liberal countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark do allow possession and consumption in limited amounts in a controlled environment.

Cannabis for recreational use is illegal in most parts of the world. However its use as a medicine is now legal in certain territories including the UK Canada, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Israel, Italy, Finland, and Portugal, and parts of the United States. Such use is strictly controlled however. For example, in those American states where it’s legal, users need to get a Medical Marijuana Card.

Laws governing the possession and use of marijuana are in a state of flux and meanwhile medical research continues. One exciting recent research has shown that marijuana may be effective against tumours such as lung cancer. The fact is that marijuana can improve the quality of life for sick people and so the authorities need to maintain an equitable balance between controlling the recreational use of this drug while maintaining research and use for medicinal purposes.

Marijuana is not just a soft drug for recreational use, it has a rich history dating back thousands of years and for a long time it was an important medicine and industrial material. Marijuana use didn’t begin the hippies and Rastafarians; by the time they took it up, it had already been used around the world for millennia.

Marijuana – The Long and Storied History of Cannabis

Marijuana has the mystique that comes from a long and storied history laced with a edge of risk and excitement. It evokes images of smoky dens where figures sprawl dreaming of worlds beyond, of reggae blasting Rastafarians with hideous dreadlocks and of Amsterdam cafes where users can legally take a toke or two. This is the common picture of marijuana but the real story is far richer and more complex. So what is marijuana and what’s so special about it?

Essentially, marijuana (also known as cannabis or hemp) is an aromatic plant. Its notoriety comes from the fact that the dried leaves of the female plant can be used as a psychoactive drug. Smoked, chewed or made into cakes, this drug is the most commonly used illicit drug today. The leaves can also be compiled into a resin known as hashish or hash which is a more potent smoking mixture. Marijuana is a plant indigenous to Central and South Asia and is easily cultivated in temperate climates such as the UK.

Less well known is the fact that hemp has many other uses such being made into oil and into clothing, textiles, paper and cosmetics, and has played an important role in history.

In fact, archaeologists agree that cannabis was one of the first crops cultivated by human beings between 6000 and 12,000 years ago. The oldest known records indicate that hemp farming dates back to China 5000 years ago, though many think that it dates back even further to ancient Egypt. Originally grown for use as food and for fibres, marijuana’s medical properties were recognized early on as was its psychoactive properties.

The first report of the medical use of marijuana is in China in 2727 B.C. and until the 19th century, marijuana and hashish extracts were the most widely-used medicines in the world. For example, marijuana was the painkiller of choice for Americans until the discovery of aspirin around 1900. Indeed, from 1850 until 1937 marijuana was used as medicine throughout United States and was readily available in pharmacies and general stores.

Marijuana’s psychoactive properties also led to use in religious rituals, especially in the Middle East and the India subcontinent where it was, and still is, used by shamans, saddus and other holy men.

Following centuries of use, most countries enacted laws against cannabis recreational use and possession during the 20th century. For example, it has been effectively prohibited in the United States since the 1950s. However, in recent decades, many countries have legalized or licensed its use under certain conditions and lessened the penalties for possession of small amounts for personal use.

There have been backlashes against certain practices in countries with liberal cannabis laws such as the Netherlands and Denmark. These have taken the form of closing smoking shops near schools for example.

The reasons for ban on marijuana use are that its ingestion leads to intoxication. It impairs such psychomotor functions such as depth perception, attention span and concentration. It also slows reaction time, and lowers muscle strength and hand steadiness.

Other than its recreational use, marijuana’s use as medicine to treat certain serious health conditions is once more being recognized. One of the most important is its ability to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy treatments for cancer patients. It’s also an anti emetic which can help patients with chronic conditions such as HIV/AIDS by reducing nausea and stimulating appetite.

Reports have also indicated that marijuana can prevent seizures in epileptics when used in conjunction with standard medicines. In some countries including the USA and UK, governments have responded by making marijuana available for patients under strictly controlled conditions.

One interesting trend in marijuana is the buying of marijuana seeds for souvenirs. It’s legal to buy and sell marijuana seeds but no to germinate them. This has led to the appearance of a number of online vendors of cannabis seeds offering a wide array of strains of marijuana including lowryder and pukka seeds. One vendor offers a massive range of fresh cannabis seeds with over 900 strains from 40 worldwide famous cannabis seed banks.

Cannabis seeds are sold as souvenirs, fishing bait, botanical specimens or incense only. So if you want to pick up cannabis seeds as souvenirs, check the many varieties available here on www.seedmadness.com. Your seeds will then be delivered through the post.