Common Medical Uses for Cannabis (Marijuana)

See also:
5 Therapeutic Uses of Marijuana
An Overview of the Endogenous Cannabinoid System
Anandamide - Structure, occurance, biology and analysis
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Antisychotic Effects of Cannabidiol
Anxiety Disorders
Autism
Aversive Memories
Blurred Boundaries: The Therapeutics and Politics of Medical Marijuana
Can Cannabis Help Multiple Sclerosis?
Can Cannabis Kill You?
Cancer cachexia and cannabinoids
Cancer patients improve taste and smell (chemosensory) perception as well as appetite, caloric intake, and quality of life
Cannabichromene in Marijuana helps Brain Grow, Study Shows
Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug
Cannabidiol anti-inflammatory activity
Cannabidiol Enhances the Inhibitory Effects of THC on Human Glioblastoma Cell Proliferation and Survival
Cannabidiol: Evidences for the anti-panic actions of Cannabidiol
Cannabidiol improves symptoms of generalized social anxiety disorder in a controlled clinical study
Cannabidiol, neuroprotection and neuropsychiatric disorders
Cannabidiol prevents prion accumulation and protects neurons against prion toxicity
Cannabinergic Pain Medicine
Cannabinoid receptor stimulation is anti-inflammatory and improves memory in old rats
CB1 cannabinoid receptors with neuroprotective activity
Cannabinoids and cancer: pros and cons of an antitumour strategy
Cannabinoids and Memory
Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants - US Patent 6630507
Cannabinoids in clinical practice
Cannabinoids inhibit neurodegeneration in models of multiple sclerosis
Cannabinoids: Potential Anticancer Agents
Cannabinoids, like those found in marijuana, occur naturally in human breast milk
Cannabinoids Prevent the Development of Behavioral and Endocrine Alterations in a Rat Model of Intense Stress
Cannabinoids promote hippocampus neurogenesis and produce anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects
Cannabinoids reduce breast cancer cell growth and invasiveness
Cannabinoids treat Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Cannabinoids treat breast cancer
Cannabinoids treat cervical cancer
Cannabinoids treat gliomas
Cannabinoids treat lung cancer
Cannabinoids treat prostate cancer
Cannabinoids treat skin cancer
Cannabis and Cannabinoids - National Cancer Institute
Cannabis and Depression
Cannabinoids Elicit Antidepressant-Like Behavior
Cannabinoids play an important role in stress-related disorders: Study
Cannabinoids treat depression
Cannabinoids in Bipolar Affective Disorder
Cannabinoids Offer Treatment For Severe Lung Disease
Cannabis and Driving: A Scientific and Rational Review
Cannabis and medical use in the Netherlands
Cannabis and Migraine
Cannabis and Neuroprotection
Cannabis and Psychosis
Cannabis and psychomotor performance
Cannabis and tobacco smoke are not equally carcinogenic
Cannabis as a Mood Stabilizer in Bipolar Disorder
Cannabis as an Adjunct to or Substitute for Opiates in the Treatment of Chronic Pain
Cannabis Dosing
Cannabis enhances cognitive functioning in schizophrenia
Cannabis May Mitigate Traumatic Memories In Patients With PTSD
Cannabis may prove Effective in Treating Autism
Brain-imaging study links cannabinoid receptors to post-traumatic stress disorder
Cannabis extracts fight drug-resistant bacteria
Cannabis extracts can 'dramatically slow' growth of brain cancer tumours, new research suggests
Cannabis use may be related to improved neurocognition in bipolar disorder
Cannabis treats Crohn's Disease
Cannabis treats Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Cannabis and Treatment of Chemo Related Nausea
Cannabis as a substitute for alcohol and other drugs
CBD (cannabidiol) User's Manual
Chronic Cannabis Use in the Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program
Chronic Pain
Conditions Treated With Cannabis
Control of the cell survival/death decision by cannabinoids
Cure for Cancer - The Rick Simpson Protocol
delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in clinical oncology
Diabetes
Decreased prevalence of diabetes in marijuana users: cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Introduction to the Endocannabinoid System ( Click here for full PDF )
Endocannabinoid system dysfunction in mood and related disorders
For the Sake of the Children
Granny Storm Crow's list
Hepatitis C
History of Cannabis and Its Preparations in Saga, Science, and Sobriquet
History of Cannabis as a Medicine
Lymphoma may be slowed by cannabis
Is Topical Marijuana An Effective Wound Healer?
Marijuana and Depression: Everything You Need To Know
Marijuana may Potentially Cure Depression
Marijuana use was not associated with adverse effects on pulmonary function
Marinol vs. Marijuana
Medical Marijuana And Chronic Pain
Medical Marijuana: Clearing Away the Smoke
Medical Marijuana (Medical Cannabis)
Medical Marijuana for Cancer
Medical Marijuana in addictions treatment as a harm reduction practice
Medicinal use of cannabis in the United States: Historical perspectives, current trends, and future directions
Mitigation of post-traumatic stress symptoms by Cannabis resin: A review of the clinical and neurobiological evidence
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Neuropathic pain, glia and cannabis
Neuroprotection by Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol
Neuroprotective effect of cannabinoids in Parkinson's disease
On the future of cannabis as medicine
Pancreatitis
Patients Substitute Marijuana for Prescription Drugs
PTSD and Cannabis: A Clinician Ponders Mechanism of Action
PTSD Symptom Reports of Patients Evaluated for the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program
Cannabis for PTSD, stress and anxiety
Rheumatoid Arthritis (Letter to physician - 30K .pdf file)
Sickle Cell Disease and Cannabis
Skin allergies treated with Cannabis
Sleep Apnea
Smokeless Medicine
Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects
Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol in psychiatric disorders
Tourette-Syndrome
To Vape or Not to Vape?
Vaporization as a Smokeless Cannabis Delivery System
Women and Cannabis
Cannabinoid Biosynthesis
The Biotechnology of Cannabis Sativa
The Cannabis Papers - a citizen's guide to cannabinoids
The Complete Guide to Medical Marijuana for Seniors
The DEA: Four Decades of Impeding And Rejecting Science
Vaping Cannabis: Where to Start
What Are High-CBD Cannabis Strains and How Do They Differ From High-THC Strains?
Which points you must know before buying CBD oil

Case Reports:
Cannabis treats night sweats of patients with advanced cancer
Treatment of a hyperkinetic movement disorder during pregnancy with Cannabis
Smoked Marijuana Improved ADHD Driver's Performance
Smoked Medicinal Cannabis for Neuropathic Pain in HIV
Cannabis decreased the number of depressed days in a patient with bipolar disorder
Cannabis treats Depression
Using Medical Cannabis to Treat Autism Spectrum Disorder
Cannabis treats Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Cannabis treats Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated With Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS)
Cannabis treats child with violent, uncontrollable outbursts
Marijuana reduces risk of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
The Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) Report on Clinical Research (February 11, 2010)
Review on clinical studies with cannabis and cannabinoids 2005-2009 (February 13, 2010)
Clinical Studies and Case Reports

Videos:
Cannabis and Cannabinoids in the 21st Century: Medical Marijuana
Medical Marijuana in Oregon
Medical marijuana for ADD and its good for kids!
Long term use of Medical Cannabis by Federal Legal Patients
Pediatrics and Medicinal Cannabis
Using Medical Cannabis to Treat Autism Spectrum Disorder
Cannabis treats autistic boy! TEN years of age.
Marijuana Use Studies - A History
Cannabinoid System in Neuroprotection - Raphael Mechoulam
Liberty Cafe Show: Medical Marijuana
History of Marijuana
Marijuana as Medicine
Irv Rosenfeld
Tonya Davis
Doctors, Patients Assess Effectiveness of Medical Marijuana
Clearing the Smoke: The Science of Cannabis

An Important Introduction

Marijuana (proper name Cannabis) has been used for medical purposes for over 12,000 years. Ancient historical pharmaceutical texts dating back some 2,000 years detail the wide variety of uses for this plant that grows throughout the world. Medical uses of cannabis are only now being rediscovered after some eighty years of prohibition in the United States. Canada and Western Europe are advancing quickly in the provision of laws to allow for medical cannabis and new classes of pharmaceuticals based on cannabinoids.

This guide to common medical uses for cannabis is not meant in any way to be medical advice. AAMC cautions all patients and their families to speak candidly with their primary care and/or consulting physician. No medicine, including cannabis, can replace what should be a healing relationship with a licensed health professional. Cannabis is not a “miracle” drug or cure, just an extremely helpful medicine for a wide variety of illnesses.

Today, adjunctive therapy with cannabis is helping patients to cope with the symptoms of diseases and disorders from MS and chronic pain to arthritis and bi-polar disease. The list keeps growing as more research is conducted. Adjunctive therapy means an “additional” or ancillary therapy. Cannabis is not intended to replace primary medical treatments but to compliment them.

In these pages we will provide overview summaries of common ailments for which our members, families, and the scientific literature indicate that cannabis may be of real help. Remember, this is not medical advice. Cannabis alone, self administered, to the exclusion of comprehensive medical care may actually mask illness or prolong delays in seeking appropriate medical assistance.

Even worse, some folks may think that cannabis is just great for any disease or disorder. The problem is, though, that every individual responds to cannabis differently depending upon their age and illness, their unique genetics, the setting in which cannabis is utilized, the particular strain, composition, and strength of the cannabis used, and the unique thinking and emotions of every patient. While we can generalize some common experiences, each person will react differently. Many will find real relief from muscle spasms or migraine while others (rare) may experience increased anxiety or even what we call dissociative disorders.

All medicines have “safety profiles” which should be carefully reviewed before starting any new drug. Cannabis has an extraordinarily safe profile with no reported overdoses or deaths and few adverse reactions. Smoking can cause irritation of the throat and lungs. Smoking cannabis that is contaminated with pesticides, mold, or other substances, can lead to bronchitis and be particularly dangerous for folks with compromised immune systems. Many patients prefer to utilize vaporizers or take their cannabis orally or even topically. Some patients report stomach upset from ingesting cannabis products. Many patients, particularly new ones, may find cannabis makes them sleepy or dizzy. No patient who utilizes cannabis should operate a motor vehicle or machinery while under the influence.

Over time, most patients learn just what dose is enough to help with symptoms while allowing them to function intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially. Some say that the occasional euphoria produced by cannabis qualifies as an adverse reaction but we don’t believe that medicine must make you feel worse in order to be effective. Those very few patients who experience anxiety or panic should lower their dose and may not be appropriate for cannabis therapy.

It is important for patients and others interested in adjunctive therapy with cannabis, to learn all that they can from experienced patients, qualified physicians, and expert caregivers. It is sad to say that many in the medical profession today remain skeptical about cannabis and poorly informed or worse, are operating upon drug war stereotypes. Unfortunately, cannabis is not a routine part of either medical or pharmaceutical education other than to caution against drug abuse. Yes, cannabis can be abused and can be psychologically habituating but the degree of “addiction” or the harm done is astronomically less than many prescription drugs and certainly far less than alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, or heroin.

Patients with a history of substance abuse or mental illness require a close consultation with and supervision by a psychiatrist experienced in cannabis therapy. Believe it or not, cannabis has been used by many to actually treat addiction to harder drugs.

We at AAMC are excited by the real relief we see thousands of patients receiving from cannabis. We only write these words of caution and disclaimers regarding medical advice to insure that patients and others recognize that it is up to the patient to accept responsibility along with their recommending physician for any therapeutic choice.

We at AAMC also feel it is our responsibility to bring you the latest in scientific findings and clinical experience while providing comprehensive links to organizations like the American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society, and many others. Welcome to the information, which may make your life or the life of a loved one a little bit better.

Americans for Safe Access References: ASA's new condition-based materials are now available for download

Cancer References: ACS : American Cancer Society

Cannabinoid Research Institute: GW Pharmaceuticals

Depression References: MEDLINEplus: Depression

Diabetes References: American Diabetes Association
                               InteliHealth: Diabetes

King's American Dispensatory: Cannabis Indica (U. S. P.)

Medical References: National Library of Medicine - PubMed

Pancreatic Disease References: MEDLINEplus: Pancreatic Diseases

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