Marijuana, just about everybody has heard of it, most notably for its role in media as a plant used to achieve a high. What is less known about marijuana are its medical benefits and even less so, the chemistry behind the plant. Marijuana, also known as Cannabis contains over 500 chemicals, including the psychoactive chemical THC, responsible for the intoxicating effects. Around 100 of these chemicals are chemically related to THC, called cannabinoids. Our body naturally has chemicals that are structurally similar to these cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids bind to the same receptors that cannabinoids from marijuana bind to. Interestingly, CB1, one of the primary receptors that cannabinoids bind to, is the most common G-coupled protein receptor in the brain.1 When these cannabinoids bind to a receptor, several signaling pathways are activated. Some of the most interesting physiological effects that have use medically are appetite stimulation, reduced nausea, pain relief, and improved sleep.2
If you were thinking what I am thinking, you might be curious as to the structure of an endocannabinoid, so here you go!
Since 1970, marijuana has been designated a schedule one drug, meaning it has no potential medical benefits. This means marijuana is placed in the same class as narcotic drugs such as LSD, heroin and ecstasy. The problem with having marijuana designated as a schedule one drug are two-fold. Not only does it ignore the medical benefits that have already been proven to aid those suffering from severe ailments, but it makes research difficult to carry out.
I would like to expand on the second point a little more. If research was easier to carry out, then potentially new compounds could be synthesized/discovered that do not have the psychoactive effects of THC, but keep the positive medical benefits. Furthermore, marijuana could be grown with controlled levels of THC, making it safer to use. Additionally, cannabinoids could be studied with greater efficacy, possible leading to the creation of novel treatments. There is also the potential to expand upon the therapeutic benefits that marijuana has on the body, leading to better treatments and new ways to administer it to patients.
The dangers of marijuana have been overstated. Cigarettes, known to contain over 7000 chemicals, hundreds of which are toxic (70 of which known to cause cancer) are legal at the age of 18.3 To me, this makes little to no sense. How can cigarettes, which are known to cause cancer be legal to smoke while marijuana, which has an extremely low toxicity, be considered a schedule one drug? Fun Fact: Cannabinoid receptors are not located in the brainstem areas that control respiration, unlike opioid receptors, so lethal overdoses from Cannabis do not occur.2 Also I would like to mention that marijuana has a considerably lower risk of addiction than many abused substances even some drugs prescribed today.2 In addition to this, the adverse effects of marijuana are not far from drugs commonly used to treat pain and other symptoms in hospitals and doctors’ offices across the country. Why is marijuana still a schedule 1 drug you might be asking to yourself? It is a result of the history of false perceptions and portrayals that have surrounded it for many years.
A great resource to learn more about cannabinoids and their potential use medically can be found at:
http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq#section/_1