Marijuana As Medication

MARIJUANA AS MEDICATION

THC in marijuana can have very positive effects during treatment of diseases like:

Ø  Multiple sclerosis

Ø  Epileptic seizures

Ø  Alzheimer's disease

Ø  Parkinson's disease

Ø  Rheumatic arthtritis

Ø  Schizophrenia

Ø  Breast and prostate tumors

Ø  Asthma

MARIJUANA

DRUG OR MEDICATION?

Authors: Jaka Arh and Urban Žnidaršič

Mentors: prof. Sonja Artač, prof. Maja Gerden

Gimnazija Vič, 2014

WHAT IS MARIJUANA?

Marijuana is a green, brown or grey mix of dried and cut parts of the plant Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica. It contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the main chemical substance that causes physiological changes in the human brain. It is mostly used in four different forms: usual marijuana, sensimilla, hashish and hashish oil. Usually it is used as hand-rolled cigarette (joint) or in water pipe (bong). Some users mix it in their food or make tea out of it.

HISTORY

Cannabis has been used as an industrial plant since stone ages. Due to its healing and psychoactive characteristics it was used by the healers and priests in whole Asia. Records about it have been found in Hindu holy books and in ancient Chinese medical notes. Archaeologists found the plant in 3000 years old graves of the Skits. It was also considered as an effective plant for protection against the devil.

POSITIVE EFFECTS

Ø  mood improvement,

Ø  relaxation,

Ø  creative thinking,

Ø  sharpened senses,

Ø  pleasant feelings,

Ø  pain alleviation,

Ø  reduction of feeling of sickness

NEGATIVE EFFECTS

Ø  slowed down thinking,

Ø  physical tiredness,

Ø  sickness,

Ø  breathing problems,

Ø  increased heart beat,

Ø  headache,

Ø  paranoia

Ø  addiction

FREQUENCY OF THE DRUG

It is estimated that in Europe 80.5 million (23.7%) of population between 15 and 64 years have used marijuana in their lifetime, but the drug is mostly popular in teenage circles. In Slovenia, 23 % of teenagers, aged 15 or 16, have tried marijuana in their life.