Everyone wants to live a full and healthy life, yet for so many, they're hindered by serious medical conditions. For thousands of years, medical cannabis has helped tens of thousands of people attain a level in which they can either function or live pain-free. In some cases, smoking marijuana has provided dignity to many who have only days or weeks left to live. However, no matter what it's called, weed, pot or 420, thousands of people worldwide do not need pharmacology studies to tell them that their quality of life has improved.
History of Medical Marijuana
Throughout time, many cultures have used cannabis as medicine including India, China, South America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Some events in marijuana history are:
- 3000 BC: There is evidence that cannabis was used in Chinese medicine.
- Ancient India used cannabis to cure insomnia, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, relieve pain and to relieve the pain of childbirth.
- Ebers Papyrus (1550 BC) describes medical marijuana. Ancient Egyptians used cannabis in suppositories for relieving pain of hemorrhoids.
- Marijuana was once grown freely in the United States. In 1937 the Marijuana Tax Act led to the criminalization of marijuana and made medical research very difficult.
- In 1975, a “Compassionate Use” program started in the U.S.
- July 2001: Canada becomes the first country to allow its citizens to legally access marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Historically, countries that have strict pharmaceutical controls are the countries that have less acceptance for herbal remedies that heal or help relieve symptoms, and this includes cannabis.
Crossing the Bridge
Some patients who have used marijuana for medical purposes have crossed the bridge from medical use to recreational. Many will argue that recreational use is fine so long as it doesn't become an addiction. Signs of when medical or recreational use crosses into addiction include:
- User cannot go a day without smoking marijuana.
- User has lack of motivation.
- User experiences increased levels of anxiety when going a day or two without smoking.
- User experiences relationship problems.
- Depression can happen when smoking marijuana or when an attempt is made to stop. If smoking pot or trying to stop smoking causes fluctuations in depressive symptoms, something is wrong.
- Shifting of priorities. For those with addictions, their smoking eventually overrides some responsibilities.
- The feeling of powerlessness to stop smoking once the problem is recognized and accepted.
For centuries, herbal healing has been an integral part of helping people worldwide cure illnesses and live comfortably. The Chinese consider cannabis to be in the top 50 fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Like so many other things in life, when used in moderation, there is no harm.
Further Reading:
Sources:
Wikipedia (Medical Cannabis)
 |
 |
 |
 |
