On February, 2019 CNN reported an article on, “Kamala
Harris' evolution on marijuana”. As per the report, ‘Kamala Harris wrote a book
that mentioned about legalizing marijuana and regulating it. In 2015, Harris
called for "end the federal ban on medical marijuana" during the
Democratic State Convention, stopping short of complete legalization.’
Currently, 85% Americans support medical marijuana legality
and it is licit in 33 states and the District of Columbia. California was the
first state to establish legal medical marijuana in 1996.
Medical marijuana:
Marijuana is extracted from the cannabis plant. Almost
400 chemicals are found in this plant, but the hallucinogenic property is due
to the two main chemicals namely: 0.31% or higher Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These mind-alerting chemicals are mined from the
dried leaves, stem and flower buds of the hemp plant.
Medical marijuana uses the hemp plant or its chemicals
for the medicinal purpose, especially to treat conditions such as Alzheimer's
disease, cachexia, Crohn's disease, anorexia, epilepsy, glaucoma, schizophrenia
and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms,
cancer related nausea, vomiting and pain. However, The United States Food and
Administration (US FDA) did not approve marijuana as a medicine.
Mode of action and Uses:
The cannabinoids interact directly with the body’s
endocannabinoid system: CB1 and CB2 receptors to provide therapeutic effects.
THC helps
1. Reduce anxiety, inflammation and pain
2. Regulate cell growth and prevent malignancies
3. Promote weight gain by improving appetite
4. Relax tight muscles in people with multiple
sclerosis and paralysis
5. Stimulate appetite and reduce symptoms like nausea,
vomiting and pain in cancer and AIDS patients
6. Slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and
Parkinson’s’ diseases
7.
Reduce the number and severity of debilitating epileptic seizures
8.
Reduce nightmares for those with post-traumatic stress disorder
9.
Minimize neurological damage following spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries
Usage during pregnancy and lactation:
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
do not recommend the marijuana usage in pregnant and lactating women as it negatively
impacts developing brain leading to learning defects, impaired visual stimuli,
increased trembling, and a high-pitched cry. It may also cause 2.3 times
greater risk of still births. Evidence from researches indicates low birth
weight due to elevated carbon dioxide level in the blood.
THC can pass through breast milk. Exposure to THC in
the first month of life can lead to decline in the motor development.
Access:
Medical marijuana is classified under Schedule I,
substances or chemicals with no accepted medical use and has potentially high
abuse.
In US, Medical marijuana is only legally available in
the states and territories that have established medical marijuana programs. It
can be only recommended by the authorized licensed doctor who are certified to
do so, and is prescribed to the patients who qualify the conditions under the
state legislation. Some states recommend
carrying medical marijuana identity card for dispensary, which costs up to $200.
In Australia, the health care practitioners prescribe
the medical marijuana for certain specified conditions only by law. Then, communicate
and seek approval from the Commonwealth Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
and the health department in the state or territory.
If not eligible for medicinal marijuana as a
treatment, there might still be legal options to access it, such as clinical
trials.
In 2018, FDA approved cannabidiol EPIdiolex for
treating two rare seizures Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
Other two cannabinoids approved to treat nausea and
vomiting associated with chemotherapy are dronabinol and nabilone.
Scientific Studies:
A search of the National Institutes of Health funded
projects list in 2016 revealed 327 on-going studies related to the marijuana
usage. As medical marijuana is Schedule I drug, clinical trials in the past has
been restrictive and the future trials may be improbable. Hurdles involved are controlling
cannabis quality and dosage.
Safety and Tips:
Cannabis is thought to be safe; however safety
measures are to be taken to lower side effects.
1. THC can temporarily cause drowsiness, impair memory,
and delay reaction time. Therefore do not operate machinery or drive a vehicle
after consuming cannabis.
2. Pesticide residue has been discovered in cannabis,
which can contribute to the health problems.
3. Consider potential drug interactions; discuss
cannabis use with the general practitioner.
4. Marijuana may affect blood sugar levels and lower
blood pressure.
5. Increase the risk of bleeding.
Dr. Avanthi K Reddy
Tags:
Health