Hemp
Hemp is the natural, durable soft fiber from the stalk of ''Cannabis'' sativa plants that grow upwards of 20 feet tall. Cannabis plants used for hemp production are not valued for recreational uses as the plants that are cultivated for hemp produce minimal levels of THC, analogous to attempting to get drunk from low-alcohol beer. ''Cannabis'' plants intended for any drug cultivation cannot be hidden in a hemp field either, as the size and height of each are significantly different.Hemp producers sell hemp seeds as a health food, as they are rich in heart-healthy, essential fatty acids, amino acids (both essential and nonessential), vitamins and minerals. Hemp "milk" is a milk substitute also made from hemp seeds that is both dairy and gluten-free.
Hemp is fairly easy to grow and matures very fast compared to many crops, most notably trees used for paper. Compared to cotton for clothing, hemp cloth is known to be of superior strength and longer-lasting. The fibers may also be used to form cordage for industrial-strength ropes. Hemp plants also require little pesticides and herbicides due to its height, density and foliage. This also makes the hemp plant environmentally very friendly.
Hemp can be utilized for 25,000 very durable textile products, ranging from paper and clothing to biofuels (from the oils found in the seeds), medicines and construction material. Hemp has been used by many civilizations, from China to Europe (and later North America) for the last 12,000 years of history.
Recreational use
Cannabis is a popular recreational drug around the world, only behind alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. In the United States alone, it is believed that over 100 million Americans have tried Cannabis, with 25 million Americans using it within the past year.
The psychoactive effects of Cannabis are known to have a biphasic nature. Primary psychoactive effects include a state of relaxation, and to a lesser degree, euphoria from its main psychoactive compound, tetrahydrocannabinol. Secondary psychoactive effects, such as a facility for philosophical thinking; introspection and metacognition have been reported, amongst cases of anxiety and paranoia. Finally, the tertiary psychoactive effects of the drug cannabis, can include an increase in heart rate and hunger, believed to be caused by 11-Hydroxy-THC, a psychoactive metabolite of THC produced in the liver.
Normal cognition is restored after approximately three hours for larger doses via a smoking pipe, bong or vaporizer. However, if a large amount is taken orally the effects may last much longer. After 24 hours to a few days, minuscule psychoactive effects may be felt, depending on dosage, frequency and tolerance to the drug.
Various forms of the drug cannabis exist, including extracts such as hashish and hash oil which, due to appearance, are more susceptible to adulterants when left unregulated.
The plant ''Cannabis sativa'' is known to cause more of a "high" by stimulating hunger and by producing a rather more comedic, or energetic feeling. Conversely, the ''Cannabis indica'' plant is known to cause more of a "stoned" type of feeling, possibly due to a higher CBD to THC ratio.
Cannabidiol (CBD), which has no psychotropic effects by itself (although sometimes showing a small stimulant effect, similar to caffeine), attenuates, or reduces the higher anxiety levels caused by THC alone.
According to the UK medical journal ''The Lancet'', Cannabis has a lower rate of dependence compared to both nicotine and alcohol. However, everyday use of Cannabis can in some cases, be correlated with some psychological withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, and insomnia and evidence could suggest that if a user experiences stress, the likeliness of getting a panic attack increases due to an increase of THC metabolites. However, any Cannabis withdrawal symptoms are typically mild and are never life-threatening.
Medical use
A synthetic form of the main psychoactive cannabinoid in ''Cannabis'', Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is used as a treatment for a wide range of medical conditions.In the United States, although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does acknowledge that "there has been considerable interest in its use for the treatment of a number of conditions, including glaucoma, AIDS wasting, neuropathic pain, treatment of spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, and chemotherapy-induced nausea," the agency has not approved "medical marijuana". There are currently 2 oral forms of cannabis (cannabinoids) available by prescription in the United States for nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy: dronabinol (Marinol) and nabilone (Cesamet). Dronabinol is also approved for the treatment of anorexia associated with AIDS. The FDA does facilitate scientific investigations into the medical uses of cannabinoids.
In a collection of writings on medical marijuana by 45 researchers, a literature review on the medicinal uses of ''Cannabis'' and cannabinoids concluded that established uses include easing of nausea and vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss; "well-confirmed effect" was found in the treatment of spasticity, painful conditions (i.e. neurogenic pain), movement disorders, asthma, and glaucoma. Reported but "less-confirmed" effects included treatment of allergies, inflammation, infection, epilepsy, depression, bipolar disorders, anxiety disorder, dependency and withdrawal. Basic level research was being carried out at the time on autoimmune disease, cancer, neuroprotection, fever, disorders of blood pressure.
Clinical trials conducted by the American Marijuana Policy Project, have shown the efficacy of cannabis as a treatment for cancer and AIDS patients, who often suffer from clinical depression, and from nausea and resulting weight loss due to chemotherapy and other aggressive treatments. A synthetic version of the cannabinoid THC named dronabinol has been shown to relieve symptoms of anorexia and reduce agitation in elderly Alzheimer's patients. Dronabinol has been approved for use with anorexia in patients with HIV/AIDS and chemotherapy-related nausea. This drug, while demonstrating the effectiveness of ''Cannabis'' at combating several disorders, is more expensive and less available than whole cannabis and has not been shown to be effective or safe.
Glaucoma, a condition of increased pressure within the eyeball causing gradual loss of sight, can be treated with medical marijuana to decrease this intraocular pressure. There has been debate for 25 years on the subject. Some studies have shown a reduction of IOP in glaucoma patients who smoke cannabis, but the effects are generally short-lived. There exists some concern over its use since it can also decrease blood flow to the optic nerve. Marijuana lowers IOP by acting on a cannabinoid receptor on the ciliary body called the CB receptor. Although ''Cannabis'' may not be the best therapeutic choice for glaucoma patients, it may lead researchers to more effective treatments. A promising study shows that agents targeted to ocular CB receptors can reduce IOP in glaucoma patients who have failed other therapies.
Medical cannabis is also used for analgesia, or pain relief. It is also reported to be beneficial for treating certain neurological illnesses such as epilepsy, and bipolar disorder. Case reports have found that ''Cannabis'' can relieve tics in people with obsessive compulsive disorder and Tourette syndrome. Patients treated with tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive chemical found in ''Cannabis'', reported a significant decrease in both motor and vocal tics, some of 50% or more. Some decrease in obsessive-compulsive behavior was also found. A recent study has also concluded that cannabinoids found in ''Cannabis'' might have the ability to prevent Alzheimer's disease. THC has been shown to reduce arterial blockages.
Another potential use for medical cannabis is movement disorders. ''Cannabis'' is frequently reported to reduce the muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis; this has been acknowledged by the Institute of Medicine, but it noted that these abundant anecdotal reports are not well-supported by clinical data. Evidence from animal studies suggests that there is a possible role for cannabinoids in the treatment of certain types of epileptic seizures. A synthetic version of the major active compound in ''Cannabis'', THC, is available in capsule form as the prescription drug dronabinol (Marinol) in many countries. The prescription drug Sativex, an extract of cannabis administered as a sublingual spray, has been approved in Canada for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Cannabis was manufactured and sold by U.S. pharmaceutical companies from the 1880s through the 1930s, but the lack of documented information on the frequency and effectiveness of its use makes it difficult to evaluate its medicinal value in these forms. Because discussions of these earlier documented medical uses of cannabis are not commonly encountered, they are memorialized here.
Cannabis in the form of a tincture and a fluidextract is documented in a 1929-30 catalog, Parke Davis & Co., which lists Cannabis, U.S.P. (American Cannabis), Fluid Extract No. 598 for $5 per pint; Cannabis, U.S.P. (East Indian Cannabis), Fluid Extract No. 106 for $36 per pint; and Cannabis (Tincture No. 14) for $3.60 per pint. The catalog states that Cannabis, U.S.P. fluid extract "is prepared from ''Cannabis sativa'' grown in America. Extensive pharmacological and clinical tests have shown that its medicinal action cannot be distinguished from that of the fluid made from imported East Indian cannabis. ''Introduced to the medical profession by us''."
Importantly, cannabis is listed in the ''1929-1930 Physicians' Catalog of the Pharmaceutical and Biological Products of Parke, Davis & Company'' as an active ingredient in ten products for cough, colic, neuralgia, cholera mordus and other medical conditions, as well as a "narcotic, analgesic, and sedative." Under "Miscellaneous Products" are listed CHLOR-ANODYNE, containing in each fluid ounce morphine hydrocholoride, 2-7/8 grs.; Fluid Extract Cannabis, U.S.P., 46 mins.; Diluted hydrocyanic acid, 9 mins.; Chloroform, 46 grs.; Oil Peppermint, 1-1/2 mins.; and Tincture Capsicum, U.S.P., 3/4 min. (alcohol, 67%). It is described as "a promptly efficient and pleasant remedy for colic, cholera morbus, neuralgia, spasmodic pains, etc. Dose, 15 minims, to be repeated in half an hour if necessary." It was sold in ounce vials (65 cents per ounce), in 4 fl. oz. bottles at $1.95 per bottle, and in 16 fl.oz. bottles at $6.90 per bottle. CODEINE COUGH SEDATIVE (Syrupus Codeinae Compositus) contains in each fluid ounce codeine phosphate, 1 gr.; Extract Cannabis, U.S.P., 1/2 gr.; White Pine bark, 32 grs.; Wild Cherry, 32 grs.; Eriodictyon, 16 grs.; Balsam Poplar buds (Balm of Gilead), 4 grs.; Choloroform, 2 grs.; and Glycerin, 120 mins. (alcohol 20%). Dose: 1 to 2 fluid drachms. The catalog states: "This combination is recommended for use in the treatment of dry bronchitis and irritating night cough. It is suitable for administration to children as well as adults, and can be continued from day to day in cases of subacute bronchitis with a minimum of 'drug' risk—for not only is codeine the safest of all opium derivatives, there is very little of it in this formula. A special indication for the use of Codeine Cough Sedative is the headache and nervous excitement that frequently attend paroxysms of coughing." This product was marketed in 16-fl. oz. bottles ($24.80 per dozen) and gallon bottles ($14.30 per gallon).
The ''1929-1930 Physicians' Catalog'' also lists compund medications containing cannabis that in some cases were apparently formulated by medical doctors, in its "Pills and Tablets" section, as follows: SEDATIVE (Dr. Brown), Compressed Tablet No. 322, was made from Sodium bromide, 2-1/2 grs.; Potassium bromide, 2-1/2 grs.; Ammonium bromide, 2-1/2 grs.; Tincture Hyoscyamus, 8 mins.; and Tincture Cannabis, 5 mins. The cost was 65 cents per 100 tablets, and $4.50 per 1,000 tablets." NEURALGIC (''Neuralgic Idiopathic''),(Brown-Sequard), Pill No. 414, Ext. Hyoscyamus, 2/3 gr.; Ext. Ignatia, 1/2 gr.; Ext. Opium, 1/2 gr.; Ext. Cannabis, 1/4 gr.; Ext. Conium fruit, 2/3 gr.; Ext. Stramonium, 1/5 gr.; Ext. Aconite Root, 1/15 gr.; and Ext. Belladonna leaves, 1/6 gr." The cost was $2.55 per 100 pills, and $6.50 per 500. The formula for a "half-strength" pill is given in the footnote. NEURALGIC, IMPROVED (Compressed Tablet No. 169), Quinine sulphate, 2 grs.; Acetanilid, 2 grs.; Ext. Hyoscyamus, 1/2 gr.; Arsenic trioxide, 1/100 gr.; Strychnine sulphate, 1/60 gr.; and Ext. Cannabis, 1/4 gr. Cost was $1.45 per 100 tablets. CHLORODYNE (Compressed Tablet No. 14), Morphine hydrochloride, 1/6 gr.; Ext. Cannabis, 1/4 gr.; Nitroglycerin (Glyceryl trinitrate) 1/300 gr.; Ext. Hyoscyamus, 1/2 gr.; Olroresin Capsicum, 1/10 min.; and Oil Peppermint, q.s. The cost was $2.70 per 100 tablets. The formula for a "half-strength" tablet is given in the footnote. In the section on "Medicinal Elixirs," is listed BROMIDE AND CHLORAL COMPOUND (No. 127), consisting of Chloral hydrate, 120 grs.; Potassium bromide, 120 grs.; Ext. Hyoscyamus, 1 gr.; and Ext. Cannabis, 1 gr. The cost was $19.80 per pint (16 fl. oz.) per dozen pints, and $15.20 per gallon bottle. Although BROMIDE AND CHLORAL COMPOUND is listed as a Medicinal Elixir, the formula does not disclose any ingredients to render it in liquid form.
As cannabis is further legalized for medicinal use, it is possible that some of the foregoing compound medicines, whose formulas have been copied exactly as published, may be scientifically tested to determine whether they are effective medications. Writing in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, smoking cannabis from a pipe may significantly relieve chronic pain in patients with damaged nerves.
Religious use
''Cannabis'' is first referred to in Hindu Vedas between 2000 and 1400 BCE, in the ''Atharvaveda''. By the 10th century CE, it has been suggested that it was referred to by some in India as "food of the gods". Cannabis use eventually became a ritual part of the Hindu festival of Holi. In Buddhism, cannabis is genereally regarded as an intoxicant and therefore a hindrance to development of meditation and clear awareness. Shamanic use of ''Cannabis'' in China has been dated to at least 1000 BCE. In ancient Germanic culture, ''Cannabis'' was associated with the Norse love goddess, Freya. An anointing oil mentioned in Exodus is, by some translators, said to contain ''Cannabis''. Sufis have used ''Cannabis'' in a spiritual context since the 13th century CE.In modern times the Rastafari movement has embraced ''Cannabis'' as a sacrament. Elders of the modern religious movement known as the Ethiopian Zion Coptic Church consider ''Cannabis'' to be the Eucharist, claiming it as an oral tradition from Ethiopia dating back to the time of Christ, even though the movement was founded in the United States in 1975 and has no ties to either Ethiopia or the Coptic Church. Like the Rastafari, some modern Gnostic Christian sects have asserted that ''Cannabis'' is the Tree of Life. Other organized religions founded in the 20th century that treat ''Cannabis'' as a sacrament are the THC Ministry, the Way of Infinite Harmony, Cantheism, the Cannabis Assembly and the Church of Cognizance.
Adapted from the Wikipedia article Cannabis, under the G. N. U. Free Documentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
