Medical Marijuana
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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 are Δ-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
- CB2—expressed in the periphery including the immune system
- Our body synthesizes two endogenous cannabinoids: N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol. Both are agonists at the cannabinoid receptors.
- Routes of external cannabinoid administration include inhalation (smoking and vaporized), oral ingestion of edible products, and topical (oral mucosa or skin).
Epidemiology
- 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 U.S. primary care population is 1–2%.
-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please log in or purchase a subscription --
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 are Δ-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
- CB2—expressed in the periphery including the immune system
- Our body synthesizes two endogenous cannabinoids: N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol. Both are agonists at the cannabinoid receptors.
- Routes of external cannabinoid administration include inhalation (smoking and vaporized), oral ingestion of edible products, and topical (oral mucosa or skin).
Epidemiology
- 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 U.S. primary care population is 1–2%.
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