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- [Interviewee] I think medical marijuana
should be legalized because of its amazing health benefits.
When I got sciatica from moving heavy objects,
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medical marijuana not only helped with my pain
but made me feel a lot better when I was walking around.
Not only that, but it's helped countless of my friends
who either have a family member
or have seizures themselves,
made the seizures either go away completely
or decrease them from having multiple seizures
to either a few a day or being able
to actually get around and do everything normally.
And by helping muscular pain and seizures not alone,
when one of my family members got cancer,
medical marijuana was not only able to help them
but it was able to mitigate a lot of the symptoms
and ultimately kill a lot of the cancer cells which,
I did the research and I can see
that medical marijuana helps with cancer relief as well.
So with all these benefits, helping with muscular pain,
helping seizures, helping people who have cancer,
there's no reason not to wanna legalize medical marijuana
so it can help the millions of people,
the millions of Americans who suffer from these conditions
in a natural and safe way,
'cause I've seen other people, myself,
try pharmaceutical drugs off the shelf
and it had bad effects.
It's not something that I would recommend to anyone.
(gentle pensive music)
- [Narrator] For thousands of years,
humanity has been using the cannabis plant
to treat various medical conditions.
The ancient Chinese, Egyptian and Greek peoples
all recognized the immense medical potential
of this often misunderstood plant.
Thousands of years later
in the most technologically-advanced age of human history,
medical marijuana is a controversial topic.
The early 20th century saw a vilification
and prohibition of marijuana,
a movement born out of greed, lies and racism.
Only now are scientists beginning to confirm
what the ancients knew, that marijuana is one
of the most medically applicable plants
Mother Nature has to offer.
Medical marijuana has the potential
to treat a wide range of psychological
and physiological conditions from cancer to PTSD.
Nevertheless, the illegality of marijuana
and the War on Drugs has stifled research into the drug.
It is time to dispel the lies and address the facts.
Join us on an exploration of one of the most astounding
and controversial plants to ever sprout.
- Hi, I'm Ahmed.
I'm from India and I think selling marijuana
should be made legal because of its medicinal properties.
A lot of research has proven
that marijuana is very helpful in treating lot of diseases
like joint pain, eye ailments, et cetera,
so that's why I think it should be made legal.
Also, it can be a good source of income for the farmers
and it can be also a good source of revenue generation
for the government, and also I think
that if cigarette and alcohol are legal,
then why not marijuana
which is considered to be less addictive?
Thank you.
- [Narrator] It is a story of thousands of years
and millions of people.
It is the story of a herb called cannabis
and a drug called marijuana.
Infamous but misunderstood.
The psychoactive drug, marijuana,
has been one of the most controversial substances
of the past two centuries.
Often known as weed or cannabis,
marijuana has been used for thousands of years
both recreationally and medically.
The 21st century has seen a rise in the awareness
of the medical benefits of using the marijuana.
This documentary shall explore the origins,
uses and benefits of medical marijuana.
But what exactly is the drug marijuana?
Marijuana, also referred to as weed or cannabis,
is a drug derived from the cannabis herb
sometimes referred to as hemp.
There are three known species of the cannabis plant,
all of which are indigenous to Central Asia
and easily recognizable by its unique leaf pattern.
The cannabis plant produces a group
of chemicals called cannabinoids.
These cause a range of physical
and mental effects when consumed.
In drug form, the plant usually comes in the form
of a dried flower buds called marijuana,
a resin called hashish, or various extracts
known collectively as hashish oils.
The main psychoactive properties of the plant
come from the flower of the plant
rather than the leaves as is sometimes assumed.
Cannabis is the fourth most popular recreational drug
on Earth behind caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.
In the United States alone,
an estimated 100 million Americans have
or do use marijuana recreationally.
The main effects of recreational marijuana
include a feeling of relaxation and slight euphoria.
The side effects often include feelings of hunger
or a possible increase in heart rate.
The effects of moderate recreational use
usually wear off within three hours.
The most common ways in which marijuana is used
include smoking like a cigarette, using a pipe,
using a bong, a vaporizer,
or sometimes ingested when included in ingredients in foods,
the most famous of these being the weed brownie.
In most countries, the perceived adverse effects
of recreational marijuana upon society and the individual
has led to the possession, sale and use
of marijuana to be made illegal.
In recent years, the illegality of marijuana
has come under scrutiny by many doctors, scientists,
and researchers who cite the medical benefits
of the drug's properties upon individuals suffering
from a range of ailments such as Alzheimer's,
cancer, Crohn's disease, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis,
nausea, PTSD, and general pain.
In its various medical uses,
the drug is known as medical marijuana
to separate it from its more common recreational uses.
The term medical marijuana refers
to the use of the whole unprocessed marijuana plant
and its pure extracts in treating the psychological
or physiological condition.
It must be sourced from a medical-grade cannabis plant
that has been meticulously grown
without the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers.
Despite calls for fewer restrictions,
the FDA is yet to approve it as a medical treatment,
stating that there still have not been enough studies
proving the safety and effectiveness of the drug.
One reason for this lack of research is due to the fact
that the DEA considers marijuana a Schedule I drug,
the same category as substances
such as LSD, heroin and ecstasy.
Because of this, researchers are required
to possess a special license
to study the beneficial aspects.
Another reason for the limited application
in research of medical marijuana
is the fact that more than a century,
marijuana has been vilified by the media.
For example, one particularly absurd infomercial
from the '90s shows two young men socializing
when suddenly one of them starts to smoke marijuana.
Seconds later, the boy has shot himself in the head
with a rifle in an apparent fit of hysteria.
This is a wild exaggeration of the effects of marijuana.
The drug does not cause any suicidal fits of madness
and those who partake in such fearmongering
are the very people who understand the drug the least.
This documentary aims to dispel the myths
and address the facts.
We shall explore the effects and functions of the drug
and how it can be applied logically to medical benefit
of many who're suffering both physically and mentally.
However, in order to fully understand marijuana,
we must start at the beginning.
The usage of cannabis by humans dates back
to at least 3000 BC.
Ancient humans valued the plant
for its medical and recreational uses
as well as the plant's ability
to be turned into rope and fiber.
The psychoactive properties of the drug
were especially popular for ritual and religious uses.
Cannabis has a history of medical use
dating back thousands of years
and was first used by the ancient peoples
of India, China, and Japan.
In China, the use of cannabis in medicine
was probably a very early development.
The ancient Chinese regularly used the plant in cooking,
so the discovery of its medicinal properties
was a natural progression from this.
In 2737 BC, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung
who was also a pharmacologist wrote a book
on medical treatments methods which included a section
on the medical benefits of the cannabis plant.
The emperor recommended using cannabis for ailments
such as constipation, gout and rheumatism.
Cannabis is still considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs
of traditional Chinese medicine.
In India, cannabis is also mentioned
in the Hindu Vedas texts dating to between 2000 and 1400 BC.
Cannabis use also became a ritual part
of the Hindu festival of Holi.
The cannabis plant soon spread from East Asia
to the Middle East and Africa via trade.
An Egyptian papyrus from 1550 BC describes medical cannabis
and recommends its use for pain relief.
The ancient Assyrians also obtained the plant
from trade with the East
and soon discovered its psychoactive properties.
The Assyrian word for marijuana was quunabu
and this is likely the etymological origin
of the name cannabis.
The cannabis plant eventually spread
from the Middle East to Europe.
The ancient Greeks used cannabis to dress wounds and sores
and cannabis seeds were also used to get rid of tapeworms.
The first Greek historian, Herodotus,
tells us that the Scythian peoples of Eurasia
would take cannabis steam belts,
creating a kind of cannabis sauna.
In the medieval Islamic world,
Arabic physicians made frequent use
of all parts of the cannabis plant.
The plant's use included its application
as an anti-inflammatory medicine and diuretic.
The plant was used extensively as a medicine
in the Middle East up until at least the 18th century.
The use of cannabis medically in Europe was less common
and its widespread medicinal use was only seen
during the 19th century.
In 1842, an Irish physician named William O'Shaughnessy
was studying the drug in India
whilst working as an officer in the East Indian Company.
When O'Shaughnessy brought samples
of the substances back with him to Europe,
it provoked a wave of new interest in marijuana
across the Western world and the drug was soon included
as an ingredient in many medicines.
During his studies in India, O'Shaughnessy had found
that marijuana was effective at treating stomach pain
and vomiting in people suffering from cholera.
By the late 1800s, cannabis extracts were being sold
in pharmacies and doctors' offices
across Europe and the United States.
These cannabis products were being used
to treat stomach problems and a range of other ailments.
Towards the end of the 19th century,
the popularity of cannabis was declining.
This was due to the rise
of more popular opium-derived drugs.
Another reason for the decline of medical cannabis
in the 19th century was the rise of the hypodermic needle.
Cannabis is not water-soluble and cannot be injected.
This then meant that drugs which could be injected
became more popular due to the immediate effect
of an injected drug.
The decline of cannabis was also due
to its eventual restrictions
on its proliferation in various countries.
The British colonies of Mauritius, for example,
restricted cannabis use in 1840
over concerns on its effect on Indian indentured workers.
The same occurred in British Singapore in 1870.
In the United States, the first restrictions on the sale
of cannabis came in 1906, and in the 1920s,
concerns over its effects on workers led
to its restriction in Jamaica, South Africa,
the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Canada.
However, the true criminalization came as a result
of US policies in the 1930s
just after the failed prohibition of another drug, alcohol.
In 1937, the United States passed the Marihuana Tax Act
and prohibited the production of hemp
in addition to cannabis.
By 1941, the use of cannabis in medicine had ceased.
When the War on Drugs began,
the US passed and Controlled Substances Act of 1970
which replaced the Marihuana Tax Act.
This act, signed by Richard Nixon,
made marijuana a Schedule I drug,
thus meaning that the drug was perceived
to have no medical uses and a high potential for abuse.
Nixon's policies towards marijuana were especially harsh
and based upon limited research
into the substance's potential medical benefits.
In 1972, a report from the National Commission
of Marihuana and Drug Abuse
released a report titled,
Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding.
The report called for lower penalties
for possession of marijuana
and recommended it only be partially prohibited
rather than fully criminalized.
Nixon and his government ignored the report.
Interest in the medical benefits of cannabis
saw renewed interest in the 1970s and '80s.
One of the main reasons for this was the advent of AIDS.
Patients suffering from AIDS reported
that use of marijuana alleviated much of the pain
caused by chemotherapy and wasting syndrome.
Not all countries followed America's Drug War policies.
The earliest country to decide upon a more liberal policy
towards marijuana was the Netherlands.
In 1972, the Dutch government divided drugs
into more and less dangerous categories,
with cannabis being in the lesser category.
Accordingly, possession of 30 grams or less
was made a misdemeanor.
Cannabis has been available for use
in coffee shops since 1976 with no real negative effects
upon Dutch society as a whole.
Cannabis products are only sold openly
in certain local coffee shops
and possession of up to five grams
for personal use is decriminalized.
In recent years, many more countries
have adopted liberal policies towards marijuana.
In Canada, the election of Justin Trudeau
and the formation of a more liberal government
has led to the complete decriminalization
of marijuana across the country.
In the US, medical use of marijuana
has recently been decriminalized in 29 states
and the District of Columbia.
The first US state to legalize marijuana
for medical use was California in 1996.
However, it is still illegal
from the Federal Government's perspective,
thus significantly hampering research
into its potential benefits
and ensuring that thousands of people are imprisoned
each year for possession of the drug.
The Obama Administration did not make prosecuting
medical marijuana even a minor priority.
President Donald Trump promised not to interfere
with people who use medical marijuana,
though his administration is currently threatening
to reverse this policy.
About 85% of Americans support legalizing medical marijuana
and it is estimated that at least several million Americans
currently use it.
Across the world, awareness of the benefits
of medical marijuana are spreading.
- Yes, marijuana has been successfully used
to help people with serious health issues,
especially cancer patients.
It delays advance of cancer cells
and kills the cancer cells in leukemia patients.
It can also be used to treat blindness caused by glaucoma
by reducing the pressure inside the eye.
It can also be used to manage nausea and weight loss.
Marijuana is said to be a muscle relaxant.
Not only does it allow us broaden our sensory spectrum,
but it allows also relax
when we need optimal blood supply.
It also helps people with chronic pain
and it doesn't seem to harm capacity
and we even, you prove it.
Emotional pain can just be as devastating and dangerous
to patients as physical pain conditions
like anxiety, depression, a little poor mood,
lackluster performance at work, and even relationships,
thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
Current medication for these emotional disorders
can have various side effects
and may not be helpful to the individuals.
Marijuana offers many patients with mood disorders
an effective alternative.
- [Narrator] Countries that allow the medical use
of whole-plant cannabis include Australia, Canada,
Chile, Columbia, Germany, Greece, Israel,
Italy, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal,
the United Kingdom, and Uruguay.
But how does it affect the body?
The main psychoactive ingredient of marijuana
is a chemical compound known as THC.
THC is the chemical which produces what is known
as the high in its recreational users.
The effects of THC on the human mind and body
are primarily responsible for its controversial legal status
across the world.
The effects of this compound are relatively tame
in comparison to drugs such as alcohol
and include slight euphoria, relaxation,
heightened sensory perception,
and feelings of increased appetite
commonly known as the munchies.
Negative effects often take the form of increased anxiety,
dry mouth, impaired motor function,
and the reddening of the eyes.
Cannabis usually causes no tolerance or withdrawal symptoms
except in those who use the drug regularly.
From around 9% of those who use marijuana
develop any kind of addiction upon the drug,
and this is usually linked to underlying lifestyle
and mental issues.
Symptoms of withdrawal in these cases are usually limited
to irritability, boredom, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
Dependence upon marijuana is rarer
and less medically serious than dependence
upon tobacco and alcohol.
Those who use marijuana sensibly
to treat medical issues are at a very low risk
of forming any kind of dependency issues.
The negative effects of THC are more common
in people who use more marijuana than has been recommended
or if the cannabis is unexpectedly potent.
In fact, the amount of THC in recreational marijuana
has increased dramatically in recent decades.
In the mid 1990s, the average THC content
of weed was only around 4%.
By 2014, this had increased to about 12%,
and some recent strains have even seen highs of 37%.
As with most drugs, it is important to know
the source of supply in order to avoid unexpected results.
In states where medical marijuana is legal,
the drug is usually obtained
from professionally-recommended dispensaries
with known chemical composition.
The selective breeding of marijuana
to produce more THC seems to have begun in the 1960s
when psychoactive drugs were in high demand.
This is one of the reasons the Nixon Administration
took a harder stance towards marijuana.
Like LSD, marijuana was perceived
as a risk to traditional American society.
Government reactionaries were concerned
and likely scared by the liberal actions
and views of the younger generations,
and linked marijuana to their behavior.
- [Interviewer] How do you feel?
- Well, I feel very fine. (laughs)
I feel very buoyant and light and resilient.
Feels though this chair is not solid, it seems to be.
I have a feeling that my hands are not resting
against this chair,
and I see flashes of color quite a bit.
I see this rug, for example,
seems to have an awful lot of complements
of violet and yellow.
I see a lot of violets and yellows.
- [Narrator] THC, however, is one
of around 483 known compounds within the cannabis plant.
The least controversial extract of the cannabis plant
is known as CBD.
CBD has little, if any, intoxicating effects upon the user
and CBD-dominant strains of the cannabis plant
are primarily used medically.
The cannabinoids of CBD are similar
to chemicals produced in the human body
and are found in leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant.
There is no one strain of cannabis plant
which is known as medical marijuana.
The term applies to a variety of different strains
and this often leads to misunderstanding.
Of the over 400 different chemicals present
in the cannabis plant,
many cannabis medications only contain one or two of these.
The sheer number of active chemicals in marijuana
is one of the reasons why treatments
such as cannabis are difficult to classify and study.
This is also one of the reasons why further study
of the plant needs to be encouraged.
Patients have reported many positive effects
of the CBD compound.
For example, some report that the substance has assisted
in the relief of insomnia, anxiety, spasticity,
and CBD has also been noticed to having an effect
on patients suffering from epilepsy.
The symptoms of one particular form of childhood epilepsy
called Dravet syndrome has responded positively
to a strain of marijuana called Charlotte's Web.
Charlotte's Web is a strain of cannabis high in CBD
which does not include the psychoactive properties of THC.
The relationship between cannabis and epilepsy
has seen limited research
and would benefit from further studies.
The most common use of medical marijuana in the US
is for pain control.
Whilst marijuana is not potent enough
to alleviate severe pain from injuries such as broken bones,
it is very effective for the treatment
of persistent chronic pain,
an ailment which affects millions of Americans,
especially the elderly.
For instance, marijuana had proven highly effective
for treating the symptoms of arthritis,
especially when applied in cream or balm form.
Marijuana is in fact a safer treatment for pain
than many other painkiller drugs.
Unlike many opioids or drugs,
it is impossible to overdose on marijuana.
These drugs are also highly sedating,
whereas medical marijuana allows patients
to resume their previous activities
without feeling entirely lethargic.
One of the ways marijuana could be used to treat pain
is through the use of CBD oil.
CBD oil does not cause any kind of high
and simply reduces pain and inflammation.
In a 2016 study on the effects of CBD
on rats suffering from arthritis,
researchers noticed that the application of CBD led
to reduced inflammation and pain in the rats' joints.
Current research into CBD oil is limited at the present,
but the results we do have look very promising.
Currently, however, the FDA has not approved the use
of medical marijuana for pain relief.
Marijuana can also be used as muscle relaxant.
For example, many sufferers of Parkinson's disease
have reported that medical marijuana helps
to lessen their tremors.
Marijuana can also help reduce the tremors and spasms
which result in sufferers in multiple sclerosis.
Another use of medical marijuana
is in the treatment of nausea.
Chemical compounds present in the cannabis plant
interact with the brain's receptors
which deal with feelings of nausea.
The benefits of this were first noticed
in patients suffering from AIDS,
but it can also be beneficial to those
who are undergoing chemotherapy.
Marijuana has proven
to be far more effective anti-nausea drug
than more conventional drugs used
to treat chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Marijuana can also be used by patients suffering from HIV
to assist with wasting syndrome
and the general pain associated with the condition.
There is also some evidence to support the possibility
that marijuana assists with weight problems and diabetes.
Cannabinoids with marijuana have been shown
to help regulate insulin levels
and manage caloric intake more effectively.
One of the most effective possible uses
of medical marijuana is in the treatment of glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve,
the cable that carries visual information
from the eyes to the brain.
Damage caused by glaucoma to the optic nerve
can result in vision loss and eventually complete blindness.
Current treatments for glaucoma focus
on lowering eye pressure.
These include eye drop medication, laser treatments,
and operation-room surgery.
However, there are individuals
for whom these treatments have proven ineffective
and have resulted in unwanted side effects.
This has led some to search for alternative medications
to treat the condition, especially marijuana.
The THC in marijuana causes the pressure build-up
around the eyes caused by glaucoma to subside.
Current clinical trials have been testing the ways
of applying THC, with studies focusing primarily
on pill and eye drop applications.
It is not currently recommended
to smoke marijuana to treat glaucoma
as the effects of reduced eye pressure only last
as long as the effects of the drug itself,
meaning that extremely regular smoking
of marijuana would be required
and this is in no way recommended.
Although more studies are clearly needed
before any firm conclusions can be drawn,
the existing research shows promising signs
that medical marijuana may, one day,
be an effective treatment for glaucoma.
Another promising area of research
is in the potential benefits
of using medical marijuana to treat Crohn's disease.
Crohn's disease, also known as inflammatory bowel disease,
causes inflammation of the digestive tract.
Symptoms of the disease include abdominal pain,
severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition.
A number of studies of the effects of THC in marijuana
on patients suffering from Crohn's disease
have shown positive results.
In 2011, a study published
in the Israel Medical Association Journal
presented the results of the first ever research study
into the effects of cannabis on Crohn's.
All 30 patients who had responded negatively
to all other treatments stated the application
of medical marijuana improved their symptoms.
In 2013, another study was published
in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
The study revealed all patients experienced
a greater improvement in symptoms.
More research is needed, however,
before the medical community unanimously accepts
the treatment of Crohn's with medical marijuana
as it is currently unclear
whether marijuana fights the disease
or simply masks the symptoms.
Nevertheless, 29 states in the US
have permitted patients suffering from Crohn's
to obtain medical marijuana as treatment.
It is recommended that patients first consult
with their doctor.
If the doctor is registered
with a state medical marijuana program
and agrees that the treatment is appropriate,
a certificate and ID will be given to the patient
to allow them to acquire medical marijuana
from a dispensing facility.
Many also report the use of marijuana helps them
to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
Indeed, some studies have noted a link
between cannabinoids and reduced hypertension.
This is especially important to the American population.
One in three Americans suffer from hypertension.
Perhaps the most significant use of marijuana, however,
is in the treatment of cancer.
Recent scientific studies have shown
that cannabinoids present within all strains
of the cannabis plant fight certain types of cancer.
Studies in mice and rats have shown
that cannabinoids inhibit tumor growth
by causing cell death, blocking cell growth,
and blocking the development of the blood vessels needed
for tumors to grow.
Further studies have also shown
that cannabinoids may be able to kill cancer cells
while protecting normal, healthy cells.
One study revealed that cannabinoids protect
against inflammation of the colon,
thus reducing the risk of colon cancer.
Cannabinoids have also been shown
to be effective against liver cancer
where they are able to attack and kill tumors on the liver.
Similar results have also been found with breast cancer.
Further studies of CBD have shown
that it may increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
There is evidence to suggest that CBD helps
to increase cancer cell death
without harming normal cells whilst undergoing chemotherapy.
Medical marijuana have even been used
to treat STDs, especially herpes.
Herpes is a highly contagious virus
which is not only spread sexually,
but by something as little as a kiss or sharing lipstick.
The three main drugs used to cause herpes
can all cause unpleasant side effects
such as headaches, vomiting and diarrhea.
As a result, many sufferers have looked
to more natural remedies.
Cannabis is one of the main drugs people have turned to.
Studies from 1980, '91, and 2004 have shown
that cells infected with a herpes virus stop replicating
when treated with THC from the cannabis plant.
The 1991 study also showed that THC could inhibit
the infectious nature of the virus,
thus reducing infection rates.
Cannabinoids were also found to reduce the pain
caused by the herpes virus.
THC oils and creams especially help fight
against the spread and pain of sores.
The benefits of medical marijuana are not limited
to the treatment of physical conditions.
The drug can also greatly benefit those suffering
from psychological conditions such as PTSD.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry showed
that treatment using particular compounds found
in marijuana may benefit those with PTSD
and that cannabinoids may possess some benefits
in individuals with PTSD
by helping relieve haunting nightmares and other symptoms.
Many veterans suffering from PTSD have found
that the sensible use of medical marijuana has helped them
to reconnect with their emotions in a healthy and safe way.
Research published in Science Daily has revealed
that medical marijuana helps to decrease
the mental re-experiencing of traumatic experiences
and allows sufferers to better confront situations
which may remind them of the trauma.
Medical marijuana has also helped many deal
with the chronic physical pain associated
with their past trauma and assist them
with their anxiety and insomnia issues.
However, medical marijuana should never be used
as the sole treatment of PTSD.
It is important that sufferers use the drug
in conjunction with other paired therapies
and especially important that they join peer group support.
Similarly, positive results have been found
in the treatment of depression using medical marijuana.
Researchers from Washington State University have noticed
that adults reported a reduction in depression symptoms
by using marijuana that is low in THC but high in CBD.
The study also found that marijuana high in both CBD and THC
helped to reduce anxiety and stress.
Overall, the 12,000 users who took part in the study stated
that the symptoms of their depression, on average, halved.
The studies also showed CBD
to be the most important ingredient of marijuana
when dealing with depressive symptoms.
Another important find showed
that chronic long-term use should be avoided
as this could exacerbate the depressive symptoms.
Moderation is the best cause of action
when using medical marijuana
so that a dependency upon the drug does not form.
There is also research underway studying the effects
of medical marijuana upon sufferers of ADHD.
People with ADHD are often restless,
unable to focus upon tasks,
and sometimes find it difficult to stay quiet.
Treatment for ADHD usually involves the prescription
of Ritalin or Adderall.
These are believed to help correct the levels
of neurotransmitters in the brain called dopamine
and thus reduce the symptoms of ADHD.
However, these drugs can have unpleasant side effects
and some have turned to marijuana as a treatment option,
as marijuana is believed to have the same effect
upon dopamine levels.
Current research is in its early stages, however,
so it is not currently recommended to treat ADH sufferers
with any kind of cannabinoid until there is clear evidence.
It is especially important not to allow children
with ADHD access to any kind of marijuana product.
The brain of a child is still developing
and using marijuana can alter mental development
leading to harmful cognitive effects.
Recent scientific studies have shown that THC and CBD
could be used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's.
A laboratory study on mice
with symptoms of Alzheimer's showed
that a combination of CBD and THC helped to improve memory
and reduced the visual symptoms of the disease.
Medical marijuana may also be a viable treatment for OCD.
OCD is a kind of anxiety disorder
where an individual has unwanted and recurring thoughts,
obsessions, sensations, or ideas.
These usually compel the sufferer
to repeat actions compulsively.
Currently around 2.2 million Americans suffer from OCD.
Currently, doctors treat the disorder
with a combination of medication such as anti-anxiety
and anti-depressive drugs and psychotherapy.
Although current medications are usually effective,
they often have unwanted side effects.
For example, anti-depressants can cause headaches,
nausea, agitation, drowsiness, and insomnia.
The negative effects of currently-used drugs
have led some to turn to marijuana.
There is a possibility that medical marijuana,
especially strains high in CBD and low in THC
can help OCD patients deal with much of the anxiety
and stress their condition causes.
However, the link between OCD and cannabis
needs to be an area of further study.
Studies have also been performed into the possible treatment
of Tourette syndrome using medical marijuana.
Tourette's is a psychiatric disorder
which begins in childhood and is characterized
by uncontrollable verbal and physical tics.
Some common tics are eye-blinking,
coughing, throat-clearing, sniffing,
facial movements, and verbalizations.
In most cases, medication for Tourette's is not necessary.
However, some scientists have hypothesized
that medical marijuana could be an effective treatment
for the syndrome's symptoms.
Some studies have shown that when patients suffering
from Tourette's used the cannabinoid drug dronabinol,
there was an improvement in symptoms
with no adverse side effects.
Although smoking marijuana is the most common method
of administration in the recreational use of the drug,
this is not always the best way of using cannabis medically.
Smoking a hand-rolled joint is considered to be one
of the least effective ways of administrating marijuana
as much of the drug is lost through the smoke
as the joint burns.
The smoke from the joint can also be an irritant
in the lungs, and this method is not recommended
for anyone suffering from lung damage.
A healthier way of using the drug medically
is through the use of a vaporizer
or a water pipe known as a bong.
This negates the harmful chemicals
which can be inhaled through smoke.
The inhalation of medical marijuana allows the patient
to titrate the dosage depending upon their needs.
Inhalation causes almost instantaneous effects
as the medication is rapidly taken into the lungs
and absorbed into the bloodstream.
Cannabinoid medicine are often applied
in pill, oil, or spray form.
The spray is developed from THC and CBD extracts
mixed with alcohol and peppermint flavoring
and is applied into the mouth.
This is usually prescribed to those suffering
from multiple sclerosis.
The oils too can be applied in the mouth,
often under the tongue.
This allows for the rapid uptake
of the drug into the bloodstream.
Oils are also commonly applied to the skin
to treat inflammation, arthritis, or muscle pain.
Although medical use of cannabis
is now legal in many states,
many of those only allow for its use
in oil, pill, or spray forms.
Most states also only permit the use
of medical marijuana under certain medical circumstances
recognized and diagnosed by a doctor.
When considering the use of medical marijuana,
it is essential to make sure
that the medicine has been sourced
from medical-grade cannabis plants
that have not been chemically treated.
It is also important to find
a knowledgeable cannabis physician
who can properly advise on the dosage
and methods of application.
While medical cannabis use is increasing,
there are major social and legal barriers
which lead to cannabis research proceeding more slowly
and differently from standard medical research.
Legal restrictions upon marijuana have resulted
in unbelievable number of people being swallowed up
by the United States prison-industrial complex.
Eight million people were arrested
between 2001 and 2010 for possession
of marijuana in the USA,
feeding America's already absurdly large prison population.
Black Americans have been particularly targeted
for marijuana possession.
In fact, African Americans are four times more likely
to be imprisoned for possession of marijuana.
In 2016, more people were arrested
for marijuana possession than for rape and murder,
and someone is arrested
for marijuana possession every 45 seconds.
Every year, vast amounts of money are wasted
trying to combat marijuana use.
Cannabis prohibition costs American taxpayers $3 billion,
money which could go into medical research.
In the future, this will perhaps seem absurd
as the alcohol prohibitions of the 1920s,
even more so considering
that alcohol is many times more dangerous than marijuana.
Every year, alcohol abuse kills around 90,000 Americans.
Marijuana kills no one.
So how is it that so much trouble can be caused
by what is essentially a herb?
The real reasons for the illegality of marijuana
are surprising and should make us all question
the people who are dictating our laws.
In 1929, a man called Harry Anslinger became the head
of the Department of Prohibition.
Alcohol prohibition had been a complete disaster.
Alcohol production was now controlled by gangsters
and it had become more poisonous.
Up until this point, Anslinger had refused to ban marijuana.
He stated that there is no more absurd fallacy
than the idea that cannabis makes people violent.
However, once it became clear that prohibition had failed
and the ban on alcohol was lifted,
Anslinger's department was now entirely pointless.
It needed a new purpose.
Mr. Anslinger therefore turned on cannabis.
He told the people that marijuana has the effect
of causing delirious rage, turning a man into a wild beast,
and finally leading to complete insanity.
Plant was named the demon weed.
Anslinger tried to find medical backing for his claim.
He asked 30 leading scientists
whether marijuana could plausibly be said
to pose a threat to society and the individual.
29 of these scientists wrote back to him saying
that marijuana posed no threat at all.
Anslinger's job was done, however,
and a wave of panic spread through America
and marijuana was criminalized.
The USA then bullied other nations
such as Mexico into doing the same.
Initially, Mexico refused,
stating that it made no sense to criminalize marijuana.
The US then cut off painkiller supplies
to the country until they capitulated.
Anslinger also bullied many
of America's scientists into compliance.
Those who suggested that independent studies should be done
to ascertain the drug's dangers were threatened
and told to be quiet.
But why was Henry Anslinger so against marijuana?
He was the nephew-in-law of Andrew Mellon,
the largest shareholder
in the DuPont Chemical and Energy Company.
DuPont were nervous about the fact
that Henry Ford's new cars could be run
using a hemp-based fuel,
and so Anslinger was encouraged to focus on hemp's danger
as a drug rather than its economic potential.
Anslinger had allies.
Perhaps the most significant of these
was William Randolph Hearst,
the owner of a huge chain of newspapers.
Hearst had invested heavily in timber production
to produce the paper used to support the production
of his newspapers, and did not want to see hemp paper
become a commonly-used alternative.
His newspapers helped to spread lies about marijuana.
He especially liked to draw a link
between racial minorities and the drug.
Much of the anti-marijuana drive of this era
was based upon racism.
In 1934, newspapers released a statement saying
that marijuana influences Negros
to look at white people in the eye,
step on white men's shadows, and look at white women twice.
Marijuana was also linked to Mexicans,
a group Hearst especially liked to demonize in his columns.
Anti-marijuana propaganda was not limited to newspapers.
In 1936, a film was released called Reefer Madness
which painted marijuana-smokers
as rapists, addicts, and monsters.
This film was aimed at instilling a fear
of the drug into the younger generations,
thus ensuring that they grew up
to support and continue Anslinger's policies.
The effects of this social manipulation
are still strong in our time.
Marijuana was made illegal in the US
because of the ability of American industries
to influence and bully their way
into altering American laws.
Marijuana was made illegal internationally
because of the ability of the United States
to influence and bully other nations.
Only now are we beginning to clean up the mess
and truly come to understand the plant
that has been used by humanity for thousands of years.
But why has marijuana remained illegal for so long?
One answer to that question lies in the profits
of America's pharmaceutical companies.
Realizing that it is impossible to own a plant
from a naturally growing plant which can be grown by anyone,
pharmaceutical companies consistently conspire
to keep the drug out of American hands
unless they can profit from American wallets.
After claiming that marijuana has no medical benefits
and classing it as a Schedule I drug,
the US government has allowed pharmaceutical companies
to develop a synthetic version
of medical marijuana called MARINOL,
a drug with side effects
which include vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.
MARINOL is far less effective
and more dangerous than the actual cannabis plant.
Patients report that it is either not working,
making some symptoms worse, has unreliable effects,
or that its effects are too intense.
However, many patients are faced with a limited choice.
Take MARINOL, which is covered by their health insurance,
or use the more effective natural cannabis treatments
and risk breaking the law.
Because MARINOL is covered by health insurance,
pharmaceutical companies are guaranteed payment.
MARINOL can be controlled and produced
by pharmaceutical companies, and therefore,
a profit can be made from those who are suffering.
The pharmaceutical industry
sees natural medical marijuana as a threat.
Every year, pharmaceutical companies pay the US government
millions of dollars to keep marijuana illegal
at the federal level,
thus inhibiting the proper research of the drug,
stopping its widespread use, and ensuring profits.
Alcohol is another industry
which heavily lobbies the US government
to keep marijuana illegal.
Marijuana is a safer recreational drug than alcohol.
Alcohol causes violence, serious accidents,
diseases, and is highly susceptible to abuse.
Marijuana, on the other hand, is harmless in comparison.
Alcohol companies are afraid
of losing profits to competition
with a potentially recreational marijuana industry
should the drug become more widespread and legal.
It seems odd that our culture
often encourages alcohol abuse,
especially in colleges, whilst vilifying marijuana.
Overdosing on alcohol can easily cause death,
either from alcoholic poisoning or from accidents.
Marijuana doesn't even give users a hangover.
Imagine a world in which marijuana had always been legal
but alcohol was illegal.
How would anyone be able to justify
the legalization of alcohol, a drug which causes the deaths
of 90,000 Americans every year
and has a history of causing violence,
illness, and serious accidents,
a drug which endangers not only the user
but those around them.
Almost double the number of Americans die every year
from alcohol abuse than all the Americans who died
during the Vietnam War combined, and around 20 times more
than all the American troops killed in Iraq.
Marijuana, on the other hand, kills no one
and has a plethora of medical applications.
One drug is legal and even encouraged.
The other is demonized and criminalized.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the third major group lobbying
for marijuana's illegality in the USA are prisons.
Prisons in America do not merely act
in the interests of public safety.
They exist for profit.
The more inmates a private prison can lock away,
the better its chances of profiting from contracts.
Marijuana users, therefore,
being one of the most incarcerated groups,
are also a highly profitable group to lock away.
Madam Justice is not blind,
but America, she only sees the color green.
It's time to end the lies,
the hypocrisy, and the profiteering.
It's time for the American government
to right the wrongs of previous administrations
and decriminalize one of the most useful drugs
ever discovered by mankind.
Pharmaceutical industry, alcohol companies,
the US prison-complex, for far too long
have had an indecent amount of control
over US government policy.
Governments should not act in the interests
of a select group to the detriment of the majority.
Perhaps what could open government eyes
is the immense potential
for profit in the marijuana industry.
It is estimated that by 2018,
the marijuana industry in states where it has been legalized
will see profits of 11 billion,
rising to $21 billion in 2021.
If marijuana was legalized at the federal level,
the medical marijuana industry could see a boom
not only in scientific research and discovery,
but also in profits and economic growth.
The US could be a world leader
in medical marijuana industry.
From the very beginnings of human history,
mankind has recognized and utilized
the medical benefits of the cannabis plant.
In recent times, new scientific studies are proving
that early man was no fool.
Medical marijuana has the potential to treat a range
of illnesses and conditions from cancer to PTSD.
However, further research into these areas of application
have been hampered by the misguided policies
of the US Federal Government,
policies founded upon lies, greed, and even racism,
policies perpetuated by an unjust culture of lobbying
from powerful groups who do not have the best interest
of America's patients at heart.
Real good could be done in our time
by the federal legalization of marijuana.
People suffering from debilitating diseases,
chronic pain, and even the trauma of combat
could seriously be helped by scientific research
into the medical applications of marijuana.