Medical Marijuana

Medical Marijuana Active Substances

The active ingredients of medical marijuana are THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (Cannabidiol). Another substance is CBN (Cannabinol) is produced as THC ages and breaks down. THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin) is found primarily in medical marijuana strains of African and Asian cannabis. CBC (Cannabichromene) is probably not psychoactive in pure form but is thought to interact with THC to enhance the high and the final substance is CBL (Cannabicyclol). All these substances have either separately or working conjointly shown benefits in clinical trials and studies. THC and CBD are the two most abundant naturally occurring cannabinoids for medical marijuana

Medical Marijuana & THC

THC shows mild to moderate analgesic effects and is therefore good for pain treatment. It can also have beneficial effects such as relaxation, euphoria and can stimulate the appetite. Drawback of varieties that have high levels of THC is that it can enhance feelings of anxiety.

Medical Marijuana & CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) doesn’t cause the psychic activities that THC does, but it works similarly.  CBD attaches itself to the neuron receptors. Studies have shown that when a person vaporizes, smokes or digests a medical marihuana with a higher CBD to THC ratio it will diminish schizofrenia symptoms.  Also it has shown a reduction in anxiety and agressive behaviour.  Other medical marijuana use is as an antispasmodic (against spasms) and an anti-emetic (against nausea). It is also helpful against insomnia.

Clinical Trials And Studies: THC Based Medicine

Scientists showed that dronabinol, a medicine based on THC, may reduce inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s and thus help to prevent mental decline. They hope the cannabinoid may be used to develope new drug therapies. It inhibits the primary marker of Alzheimer’s disease. Also some hopeful results have been achieved in relation to ALS (disease causes progressive loss of power and paral ization, resulting in death) and Parkinson’s disease. Clinical studies have shown that dronabinol, a medicine based on THC, is helpful for any number of ailments. Dronabinol (Marinol®) is a schedule III controlled substance that contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a major active ingredient found in marijuana. It is an effective appetite stimulant. Dronabinol has shown positive results with HIV-positive marijuana smokers: caloric intake, mood, and sleep. Dronabinol also showed positive effects in the treatment of agitation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease Furthermore marijuana also showed, during trials, that it helped to alleviate the effects of MS. Other trials showed that one of its active substances, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) improved appetite with patients dealing with cancer-associated anorexia.

Legal Use Of Medical Marijuana

The use of medicinal marijuana was first approved in the Netherlands in September 2003. With a doctor’s prescription it is dispensed through pharmacies. Today cannabis is prescribed by many doctors as pain relief or anti emeticum for numerous diseases such as MS, Crohn’s disease, rheumatic arthritis, aids and cancer. Also it proved very efficient for conditions, such as; glaucoma, add, chronic pain, anorexia and stress.  Further studies are being carried out to investigate further use for medicinal marihuana.

In other countries, such as Canada and the USA there is a growing acceptance of medicinal use of marihuana. California voters passed Proposition 215 in 1996, allowing the use of medicinal marijuana.  Cannabis has been legally available to patients with patient identification and physician recommendation at dispensaries in several states in the US.

More and more doctors throughout the USA are recognizing the medicinal benefits of marihuana and are prescribing it. In California alone there are over 400 dispensaries catering for patients.  These dispensaries are often called medicinal clubs or patients clubs. They provide patients with information, growing tips, clones and off course medical marijuana.  Growers can buy up to 25 clones in order for them to grow their own medicinal marijuana. They enter into a contract with the dispensary. This contract stipulates they will, in their turn supply, the dispensary with their surplus of grown medical marijuana at a beforehand fixed price.

In Canada you can apply for a medicinal marijuana license through Health Canada’s MMAR.  Thousands of Canadians are federally licensed to possess and use medical marijuana through Health Canada. Medical marijuana is a proven safe, virtually side effect-free alternative to all pharmaceuticals.

Medical Marijuana Indica vs Sativa

The effect of medical marijuana, regardless of its indica or sativa genetics, depends on the concentrations of active compounds in the specific cannabis plant. This especially revolves around the cannabinoids, which are unique to cannabis, with lead roles for THC and CBD. Other active compounds in medicinal marijuana are flavonoids and terpenes, which cause cannabis’ characteristic dank smell.

In broad general terms THC causes a positive, energetic, psycho-active effect. In combination with other substances like CBD, the effect of THC is modified to be more physically relaxing.

When looking for a strain with certain effects descriptions often include the indica/sativa (dominant) genetic background. Generally speaking indica strains have a stoned, physically relaxing, sleepy effect. Because indica varieties generally contain larger amounts of CBD, the psycho-active effect of THC is often less prominent. Indica strains often also contain higher levels of other cannabinoids and terpenes that have relaxing and analgesic effects. Indica varieties are generally used against insomnia, chronic pain, muscular problems and nausea.

Sativa strains generally have a higher THC content, but usually contain less CBD to modulate its effect. Because of the relatively pure THC-high, sativa strains usually have an energetic, psycho-active, stimulating effect. Sativa strains are often used medicinally to combat depression, lack of appetite and sexual problems.

Of course each strain has different levels of THC and CBD and there are many exceptions to the statements above. Our catalogue also boasts sativa dominant strains with high levels of CBD and indica strains that contain next to zero CBD. Below is an overview of our best medicinal strains and their possible uses.

Overview Of Uses For Our Various Medical Marijuana Strains: