Marijuana also known as cannabis has in literature held a representation as an illicit drug. Many countries have banned the use of marijuana and implied strict punishments and fines for people in possession of marijuana. However, the current trend is changing because there are many reports done recently that indicate that cannabis has some medicinal value (Janet et al, 1999). There is always a misinterpretation of scientific data on controversial subjects such as the use of Marijuana for medical purposes. The paper enables the reader to make interpretations of the new information regarding marijuana (Gonzalez, 2007). Some of the questions probing answers include, can marijuana be of use to relieve health problems? Is it safe or unsafe for use in medical purposes? This paper analyzes and summarizes what is available on literature about the use of Marijuana for medical purposes. It puts more emphasis on evidence-based medicine deriving evidence from experience and knowledge informed by scientific analysis, opposing the belief-based medicine deriving evidence from intuitions, judgment, and beliefs untested by precise science.
The Ninth Report from the House of Lords (November 1998) proposed that marijuana has a number of medical uses. They committee argued that it was a high time that these uses were in the limelight and taken serious because they were bringing in a better treatment for some of the conditions easing human suffering. The committee argued that the psychoactive chemical cannabis compound is Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (Moore et al, 2007). This compound serves an important role preparations of some medicines curing some of the human complications health wise (Richard, 2003). The House of Lords Second Report (March 2001) clearly indicated that at least 66 cannabinoids are present in cannabis helping manufacture medicines used in pain killers and other curative medicines. Some of these compounds include cannabinol (CBN), cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and many others relevant in painkillers and curative medicines (Hong-En Jiang et al, 2006).
Recently, there have been a number of high-profile therapeutic uses of cannabis. The Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics (ACT) pushes for the usage but with considerable challenges from the respective governments in laws and acts banning the use of marijuana (Gonzalez, 2007).
AIDS Wasting Syndrome has been researched, and marijuana is coming out as one of the best curative strategies. AIDS wasting syndrome is common in people suffering the HIV infection defined mainly as the involuntary loss of approximately 10 percent of body weight or even more directly not attributable to other complicated disease processes (Hong-En Jiang et al, 2006). It is necessary that HIV and AIDS patients should maintain a healthy and high appetite as well as body weight avoiding any possible opportunistic infections (Matthew, 2005). Medical cannabis is lately appearing as of help in countering the appetite loss and pain associating to HIV and AIDS working as a prescribed medication. In the present researches, medical organizations, which specialize in, AIDS research are now strongly advocating for legalization of medical cannabis, naming it as, “a lifesaving medicine” (Richard, 2003).
Additionally, marijuana has been of use in treating Arthritis. Arthritis mainly refers to over 100 inflammatory joint disorders with a close peculiarity of pain, limited movement and swelling. Arthritis involves the degeneration and inflammation of cartilage and bone making up the joint (Matthew, 2005). Experts estimate that roughly 31 million people in America alone suffer various degrees of arthritis disease. Common forms among these people are rheumatoid and osteoarthritis arthritis. Emerging evidence is implying that cannabis can be of considerable help in alleviating symptoms of arthritis and treating the disease in the early stages. If well researched, arthritis could be a gone medical problem in the world (Gonzalez, 2007).
Marijuana has pain-reducing properties. From many researches recently, it is seen as holding anti-inflammatory qualities meaning that it can substantially reduce any form of pain. However, this use is controversial and compromised most of the time through abusing cannabis in many forms as established by the drug act. The Human Studies on the Medical Use of Marijuana for medical use cites a minimum of three laboratory and animal studies that document cannabis’ anti-inflammatory effects (Janet et al, 1999). This means that, it is a solid compound helping in manufacturing many painkillers especially for extreme cases of surgery and other extreme pain human situations (Richard, 2003).