The Chemistry of Medical Marijuana

Abstract

Marijuana is a psychoactive drug from the plant genus Cannabis that is used for medical or recreational purposes. Medical marijuana refers to the use of marijuana’s chemical compounds to treat diseases, pain, and symptoms. Some of these chemical compounds are called cannabinoid that act on certain receptors to alter neurotransmitter release in the brain. Two of the most prevalent active ingredients of marijuana are Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Due to previous associations with other illegal narcotics, it has a stigmatism. This stigmatism has played a huge role in the legalization of the drug for medical and recreational uses and has required the industry to show its uses and prove its harmlessness. There has also been concern about the distribution and possible addictions. Governmental agencies have labeled the drug as addictive with no medical use and proving that the drug does have use will be the prerequisite for legalization throughout the United States. However, medically, Marijuana has been shown to have positive impacts on people suffering from diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Though the physiology of these cures has not yet been proven, the numerous anecdotal evidence combined with the benefit of finding a possible cure for such widespread diseases warrants an in-depth investigation into how marijuana works and how it can be used.