Cannabis and Cannabinoids (PDQ®) - National Cancer Institute

Cannabis and Cannabinoids (PDQ®) - National Cancer Institute:

'via Blog this'

2. Cannabinoids may be useful in treating the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment.
   Other possible effects of cannabinoids include:
   • Anti-inflammatory activity.
   • Blocking cell growth.
   • Preventing the growth of blood vessels that supply tumors.
   • Antiviral activity.
3.  What is the history of the medical use of Cannabis?
   The use of Cannabis for medicinal purposes dates back at least 3,000 years. It came into use inWestern medicine in the 19th century and was said to relieve pain, inflammation, spasms, andconvulsions.
   In 1937, the U.S. Treasury began taxing Cannabis under the Marijuana Tax Act at one dollar perounce for medicinal use and one hundred dollars per ounce for recreational use. The American Medical Association (AMA) opposed this regulation of Cannabis and did not want studies of its potential medicinal benefits to be limited. In 1942, Cannabis was removed from the U.S.Pharmacopoeia because of continuing concerns about its safety. In 1951, Congress passed the Boggs Act, which included Cannabis with narcotic drugs for the first time.
   Under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, marijuana was classified as a Schedule I drug. Other Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD, mescaline, methaqualone, and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
   Although Cannabis was not believed to have any medicinal use, the U.S. government distributed it to patients on a case-by-case basis under the Compassionate Use Investigational New Drug (IND) program between 1978 and 1992.