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The medicinal use of cannabis dates back thousands of years. Emperor Shen Nung, the so-called father of Chinese medicine, included cannabis in the country’s pharmacopoeia in 2800 BC. The therapeutic applications of cannabis are also referred to in historical texts by Hindus, Indians, Assyrians, Greeks, Romans and others. Cannabis was introduced to Western medicine in 1841 by William Blake O’Shaughnessy, and for the next 100 years it was used for a variety of ailments such as arthritis, depression, inflammation, pain, and ‘stimulation of appetite.
From the late 1930s, a prohibitionist fever ravaged the United States and demonized cannabis. The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively taxed medical cannabis out of existence, while the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 formally put the key in the coffin, arguing that cannabis had no medicinal value and that cannabis had a high potential for abuse. This classification of cannabis as a schedule I drug lasts to this day and places the herb in the same company as heroin and methamphetamine.
From the Compassionate Use of California Act of 1996, the pendulum swung again and medical cannabis returned to its place. Since then, 36 states have legalized the medical pot, while 18 have also allowed the use of adults or recreational consumption. Because cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, national research and development efforts have been delayed. Fortunately, research between some states and nations such as Canada and Israel has exploded in recent years, giving real credibility to the concept of cannabis as medicine.
Opponents of cannabis often argue against medicinal use, saying the notion itself is ridiculous. While it is true that some people used medical cannabis permits to grow and sell weeds illegally, discarding the medical benefits of cannabis is short-sighted and obsolete. I, like millions of others around the world, have seen first-hand the medicinal benefits of cannabis.
My mother was very ill when she was devastated by cancer treatments for the second time. Suffering from severe nausea, pain, loss of appetite and trouble sleeping, he had been prescribed liquid morphine and strong nausea medications. These conventional treatments did not work and also became habits. Seeing my mother suffer and stay with the pharmaceuticals was intolerable, so I led a medical cannabis program for her. During chemotherapy, he sprayed a strong cannabis flower to relieve nausea and stimulate appetite. After treatment, he switched to Rick Simpson’s groceries and oil capsules to help control pain, sleep, and depression. Through a consistent and measured dose of cannabis, the mother completely weaned off the narcotics and passed on with a much higher level of personal dignity.
As for my situation, I suffered a hip dislocation years ago. I restarted both hips so many times that I suffered bruises from the inside out and had constant pain. I had trouble walking, sitting, and standing up, and I lived in sharp pain for about three years. I firmly believe in cannabis as a tool to reduce harm and I opted to consume ganja instead of a combination of narcotics, muscle relaxants and over-the-counter painkillers. Although cannabis did not completely eliminate the pain, it removed the edge and significantly reduced the pain-induced nausea. What I do know for sure is that if I had been using pharmaceuticals for the past few years, I would have become very dependent on them and my quality of life would have been further reduced.
Fortunately, cannabis research is experiencing a renaissance around the world. Here in the United States, a recent shift in long-standing federal policy promises to bolster efforts to study the plant and its medical benefits. Since 1968, American cannabis researchers have had only one source of product, the University of Mississippi. As such, supply was limited for years. The DEA has recently opened its doors to research-driven producer applications, and a couple have already been published, and more will come. The measure strengthens the supply of cannabis for research and development and offers real hope for those seeking alternative medical solutions.
The list of possible therapeutic applications of cannabis is very promising. Studies are currently underway on the ability of cannabis to treat a number of serious diseases. CBD or cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive component of the plant that attracts significant attention. CBD is being studied to relieve insomnia, anxiety, spasticity, pain and other health conditions. Notably, CBD has also shown great promise in relation to Dravet syndrome, an aggressive form of childhood epilepsy.
Famously, the story of a young woman named Charlotte Figi helped consolidate CBD oil as an innovative treatment that offered hope to thousands of families around the world. Charlotte had hundreds of seizures a month and had limited function before experimenting with CBD. After starting a daily CBD program, her seizures dropped to a couple a month and her quality of life improved dramatically. Frankly, I am saddened and disgusted to learn that some people, even in light of this clinical evidence, would rather sentence a child to the death penalty than explore cannabis treatment.
THC, the cannabis compound known to increase you, also shows huge potential for improving health and well-being. THC is being explored as a tool to manage fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s, glaucoma, PTSD, HIV-associated pain and emaciation, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, nausea and more.
Although still in its infancy, some research indicates that combined loads of THC and CBD have been shown to slow or stop the growth of some cancer cells in laboratory settings. Demands are growing to increase R&D in this area. In fact, “the American Cancer Society supports the need for more scientific research on cannabinoids for cancer patients and recognizes the need for better and more effective therapies that can overcome the often debilitating side effects of cancer and its treatment. The Society also believes that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s classification of marijuana as a controlled substance in Annex I imposes numerous conditions on researchers and impedes the scientific study of cannabinoids. compatible with federal law to allow more scientific studies on marijuana. ” Amen!
In addition, terpenes, or natural compounds found in plants, are attracting a lot of attention for their medicinal properties. Cannabis has numerous terpenes, some of which are being explored for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anticancer, antitumor, antiallergic, antibiotic, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective attributes. Emerging science also indicates that the interaction between terpenes and cannabinoids such as THC improves and enhances the effectiveness of cannabis as a drug. That’s why I prefer to consume full-spectrum products like live resin cartridges, ice jelly beans, and long-term organic flowers grown on native soil.
The concept of medicinal cannabis is difficult for some to accept. Ancient stereotypes that demonized cannabis use have been commonplace to varying degrees around the world, and that will not change overnight. Fortunately, legalization and a growing body of evidence suggesting that cannabis can treat a number of serious illnesses are helping to break down barriers and allow for a more meaningful and truthful dialogue on health and wellness issues. More and more people are realizing that Western medicine and our reliance on powerful, politically connected pharmaceutical giants may be a lost proposition. Expensive and potentially harmful lab products have favored a more natural and holistic approach to healing and this must end. I look forward to significant progress in cannabis R&D over the coming months, and I appreciate the advances and treatment options that this will bring.
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Jesse Duncan is a lifelong resident of Humboldt County, the father of six children, a retired financial advisor, and a full-time commercial cannabis grower. He is also the creator of NorCal Financial and Cannabis Consulting, a free platform that helps small farmers improve their financial, business and farming skills. Please take a look at his blog at, his Instagram at jesse_duncann and connect with him on Linkedin.
