Medical Marijuana

Basics

Medical marijuana or medical cannabis refers to the use of pharmacologic agents derived from the flowering plant genus Cannabis to treat disease or alleviate symptoms.

Description

Marijuana plants contain >100 phytocannabinoids.
Phytocannabinoids are naturally occurring molecules with an affinity for the mammalian cannabinoid receptors.
The main cannabinoids that are used for medical marijuana are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Most of the psychoactive properties come from THC.
Cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in our bodies. The ECS plays critical roles in body homeostasis.
The ECS has two main receptors:
- CB1—highly expressed in the central nervous system
- CB 2—expressed in the periphery including the immune system
Routes of external cannabinoid administration include inhalation (smoking and vaporized), oral ingestion of edible products, and topical (oral mucosa or skin).

Epidemiology

In the United States, 36 states and 4 territories allow for the medical use of cannabis products, although it remains illegal under federal law.
49 countries worldwide have legalized the medical use of cannabis.

Prevalence
Prevalence of medical cannabis in the U.S. primary care population is estimated at 2% and growing, with 15% of the U.S. population reporting regular use of recreational marijuana.

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