Original subtitles

- [Interviewee] I think medical marijuana

should be legalized because of its amazing health benefits.

When I got sciatica from moving heavy objects,

medical marijuana not only helped with my pain

but made me feel a lot better when I was walking around.

Not only that, but it's helped countless of my friends

who either have a family member

or have seizures themselves,

made the seizures either go away completely

or decrease them from having multiple seizures

to either a few a day or being able

to actually get around and do everything normally.

And by helping muscular pain and seizures not alone,

when one of my family members got cancer,

medical marijuana was not only able to help them

but it was able to mitigate a lot of the symptoms

and ultimately kill a lot of the cancer cells which,

I did the research and I can see

that medical marijuana helps with cancer relief as well.

So with all these benefits, helping with muscular pain,

helping seizures, helping people who have cancer,

there's no reason not to wanna legalize medical marijuana

so it can help the millions of people,

the millions of Americans who suffer from these conditions

in a natural and safe way,

'cause I've seen other people, myself,

try pharmaceutical drugs off the shelf

and it had bad effects.

It's not something that I would recommend to anyone.

(gentle pensive music)

- [Narrator] For thousands of years,

humanity has been using the cannabis plant

to treat various medical conditions.

The ancient Chinese, Egyptian and Greek peoples

all recognized the immense medical potential

of this often misunderstood plant.

Thousands of years later

in the most technologically-advanced age of human history,

medical marijuana is a controversial topic.

The early 20th century saw a vilification

and prohibition of marijuana,

a movement born out of greed, lies and racism.

Only now are scientists beginning to confirm

what the ancients knew, that marijuana is one

of the most medically applicable plants

Mother Nature has to offer.

Medical marijuana has the potential

to treat a wide range of psychological

and physiological conditions from cancer to PTSD.

Nevertheless, the illegality of marijuana

and the War on Drugs has stifled research into the drug.

It is time to dispel the lies and address the facts.

Join us on an exploration of one of the most astounding

and controversial plants to ever sprout.

- Hi, I'm Ahmed.

I'm from India and I think selling marijuana

should be made legal because of its medicinal properties.

A lot of research has proven

that marijuana is very helpful in treating lot of diseases

like joint pain, eye ailments, et cetera,

so that's why I think it should be made legal.

Also, it can be a good source of income for the farmers

and it can be also a good source of revenue generation

for the government, and also I think

that if cigarette and alcohol are legal,

then why not marijuana

which is considered to be less addictive?

Thank you.

- [Narrator] It is a story of thousands of years

and millions of people.

It is the story of a herb called cannabis

and a drug called marijuana.

Infamous but misunderstood.

The psychoactive drug, marijuana,

has been one of the most controversial substances

of the past two centuries.

Often known as weed or cannabis,

marijuana has been used for thousands of years

both recreationally and medically.

The 21st century has seen a rise in the awareness

of the medical benefits of using the marijuana.

This documentary shall explore the origins,

uses and benefits of medical marijuana.

But what exactly is the drug marijuana?

Marijuana, also referred to as weed or cannabis,

is a drug derived from the cannabis herb

sometimes referred to as hemp.

There are three known species of the cannabis plant,

all of which are indigenous to Central Asia

and easily recognizable by its unique leaf pattern.

The cannabis plant produces a group

of chemicals called cannabinoids.

These cause a range of physical

and mental effects when consumed.

In drug form, the plant usually comes in the form

of a dried flower buds called marijuana,

a resin called hashish, or various extracts

known collectively as hashish oils.

The main psychoactive properties of the plant

come from the flower of the plant

rather than the leaves as is sometimes assumed.

Cannabis is the fourth most popular recreational drug

on Earth behind caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.

In the United States alone,

an estimated 100 million Americans have

or do use marijuana recreationally.

The main effects of recreational marijuana

include a feeling of relaxation and slight euphoria.

The side effects often include feelings of hunger

or a possible increase in heart rate.

The effects of moderate recreational use

usually wear off within three hours.

The most common ways in which marijuana is used

include smoking like a cigarette, using a pipe,

using a bong, a vaporizer,

or sometimes ingested when included in ingredients in foods,

the most famous of these being the weed brownie.

In most countries, the perceived adverse effects

of recreational marijuana upon society and the individual

has led to the possession, sale and use

of marijuana to be made illegal.

In recent years, the illegality of marijuana

has come under scrutiny by many doctors, scientists,

and researchers who cite the medical benefits

of the drug's properties upon individuals suffering

from a range of ailments such as Alzheimer's,

cancer, Crohn's disease, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis,

nausea, PTSD, and general pain.

In its various medical uses,

the drug is known as medical marijuana

to separate it from its more common recreational uses.

The term medical marijuana refers

to the use of the whole unprocessed marijuana plant

and its pure extracts in treating the psychological

or physiological condition.

It must be sourced from a medical-grade cannabis plant

that has been meticulously grown

without the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers.

Despite calls for fewer restrictions,

the FDA is yet to approve it as a medical treatment,

stating that there still have not been enough studies

proving the safety and effectiveness of the drug.

One reason for this lack of research is due to the fact

that the DEA considers marijuana a Schedule I drug,

the same category as substances

such as LSD, heroin and ecstasy.

Because of this, researchers are required

to possess a special license

to study the beneficial aspects.

Another reason for the limited application

in research of medical marijuana

is the fact that more than a century,

marijuana has been vilified by the media.

For example, one particularly absurd infomercial

from the '90s shows two young men socializing

when suddenly one of them starts to smoke marijuana.

Seconds later, the boy has shot himself in the head

with a rifle in an apparent fit of hysteria.

This is a wild exaggeration of the effects of marijuana.

The drug does not cause any suicidal fits of madness

and those who partake in such fearmongering

are the very people who understand the drug the least.

This documentary aims to dispel the myths

and address the facts.

We shall explore the effects and functions of the drug

and how it can be applied logically to medical benefit

of many who're suffering both physically and mentally.

However, in order to fully understand marijuana,

we must start at the beginning.

The usage of cannabis by humans dates back

to at least 3000 BC.

Ancient humans valued the plant

for its medical and recreational uses

as well as the plant's ability

to be turned into rope and fiber.

The psychoactive properties of the drug

were especially popular for ritual and religious uses.

Cannabis has a history of medical use

dating back thousands of years

and was first used by the ancient peoples

of India, China, and Japan.

In China, the use of cannabis in medicine

was probably a very early development.

The ancient Chinese regularly used the plant in cooking,

so the discovery of its medicinal properties

was a natural progression from this.

In 2737 BC, the Chinese emperor Shen Nung

who was also a pharmacologist wrote a book

on medical treatments methods which included a section

on the medical benefits of the cannabis plant.

The emperor recommended using cannabis for ailments

such as constipation, gout and rheumatism.

Cannabis is still considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs

of traditional Chinese medicine.

In India, cannabis is also mentioned

in the Hindu Vedas texts dating to between 2000 and 1400 BC.

Cannabis use also became a ritual part

of the Hindu festival of Holi.

The cannabis plant soon spread from East Asia

to the Middle East and Africa via trade.

An Egyptian papyrus from 1550 BC describes medical cannabis

and recommends its use for pain relief.

The ancient Assyrians also obtained the plant

from trade with the East

and soon discovered its psychoactive properties.

The Assyrian word for marijuana was quunabu

and this is likely the etymological origin

of the name cannabis.

The cannabis plant eventually spread

from the Middle East to Europe.

The ancient Greeks used cannabis to dress wounds and sores

and cannabis seeds were also used to get rid of tapeworms.

The first Greek historian, Herodotus,

tells us that the Scythian peoples of Eurasia

would take cannabis steam belts,

creating a kind of cannabis sauna.

In the medieval Islamic world,

Arabic physicians made frequent use

of all parts of the cannabis plant.

The plant's use included its application

as an anti-inflammatory medicine and diuretic.

The plant was used extensively as a medicine

in the Middle East up until at least the 18th century.

The use of cannabis medically in Europe was less common

and its widespread medicinal use was only seen

during the 19th century.

In 1842, an Irish physician named William O'Shaughnessy

was studying the drug in India

whilst working as an officer in the East Indian Company.

When O'Shaughnessy brought samples

of the substances back with him to Europe,

it provoked a wave of new interest in marijuana

across the Western world and the drug was soon included

as an ingredient in many medicines.

During his studies in India, O'Shaughnessy had found

that marijuana was effective at treating stomach pain

and vomiting in people suffering from cholera.

By the late 1800s, cannabis extracts were being sold

in pharmacies and doctors' offices

across Europe and the United States.

These cannabis products were being used

to treat stomach problems and a range of other ailments.

Towards the end of the 19th century,

the popularity of cannabis was declining.

This was due to the rise

of more popular opium-derived drugs.

Another reason for the decline of medical cannabis

in the 19th century was the rise of the hypodermic needle.

Cannabis is not water-soluble and cannot be injected.

This then meant that drugs which could be injected

became more popular due to the immediate effect

of an injected drug.

The decline of cannabis was also due

to its eventual restrictions

on its proliferation in various countries.

The British colonies of Mauritius, for example,

restricted cannabis use in 1840

over concerns on its effect on Indian indentured workers.

The same occurred in British Singapore in 1870.

In the United States, the first restrictions on the sale

of cannabis came in 1906, and in the 1920s,

concerns over its effects on workers led

to its restriction in Jamaica, South Africa,

the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Canada.

However, the true criminalization came as a result

of US policies in the 1930s

just after the failed prohibition of another drug, alcohol.

In 1937, the United States passed the Marihuana Tax Act

and prohibited the production of hemp

in addition to cannabis.

By 1941, the use of cannabis in medicine had ceased.

When the War on Drugs began,

the US passed and Controlled Substances Act of 1970

which replaced the Marihuana Tax Act.

This act, signed by Richard Nixon,

made marijuana a Schedule I drug,

thus meaning that the drug was perceived

to have no medical uses and a high potential for abuse.

Nixon's policies towards marijuana were especially harsh

and based upon limited research

into the substance's potential medical benefits.

In 1972, a report from the National Commission

of Marihuana and Drug Abuse

released a report titled,

Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding.

The report called for lower penalties

for possession of marijuana

and recommended it only be partially prohibited

rather than fully criminalized.

Nixon and his government ignored the report.

Interest in the medical benefits of cannabis

saw renewed interest in the 1970s and '80s.

One of the main reasons for this was the advent of AIDS.

Patients suffering from AIDS reported

that use of marijuana alleviated much of the pain

caused by chemotherapy and wasting syndrome.

Not all countries followed America's Drug War policies.

The earliest country to decide upon a more liberal policy

towards marijuana was the Netherlands.

In 1972, the Dutch government divided drugs

into more and less dangerous categories,

with cannabis being in the lesser category.

Accordingly, possession of 30 grams or less

was made a misdemeanor.

Cannabis has been available for use

in coffee shops since 1976 with no real negative effects

upon Dutch society as a whole.

Cannabis products are only sold openly

in certain local coffee shops

and possession of up to five grams

for personal use is decriminalized.

In recent years, many more countries

have adopted liberal policies towards marijuana.

In Canada, the election of Justin Trudeau

and the formation of a more liberal government

has led to the complete decriminalization

of marijuana across the country.

In the US, medical use of marijuana

has recently been decriminalized in 29 states

and the District of Columbia.

The first US state to legalize marijuana

for medical use was California in 1996.

However, it is still illegal

from the Federal Government's perspective,

thus significantly hampering research

into its potential benefits

and ensuring that thousands of people are imprisoned

each year for possession of the drug.

The Obama Administration did not make prosecuting

medical marijuana even a minor priority.

President Donald Trump promised not to interfere

with people who use medical marijuana,

though his administration is currently threatening

to reverse this policy.

About 85% of Americans support legalizing medical marijuana

and it is estimated that at least several million Americans

currently use it.

Across the world, awareness of the benefits

of medical marijuana are spreading.

- Yes, marijuana has been successfully used

to help people with serious health issues,

especially cancer patients.

It delays advance of cancer cells

and kills the cancer cells in leukemia patients.

It can also be used to treat blindness caused by glaucoma

by reducing the pressure inside the eye.

It can also be used to manage nausea and weight loss.

Marijuana is said to be a muscle relaxant.

Not only does it allow us broaden our sensory spectrum,

but it allows also relax

when we need optimal blood supply.

It also helps people with chronic pain

and it doesn't seem to harm capacity

and we even, you prove it.

Emotional pain can just be as devastating and dangerous

to patients as physical pain conditions

like anxiety, depression, a little poor mood,

lackluster performance at work, and even relationships,

thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Current medication for these emotional disorders

can have various side effects

and may not be helpful to the individuals.

Marijuana offers many patients with mood disorders

an effective alternative.

- [Narrator] Countries that allow the medical use

of whole-plant cannabis include Australia, Canada,

Chile, Columbia, Germany, Greece, Israel,

Italy, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal,

the United Kingdom, and Uruguay.

But how does it affect the body?

The main psychoactive ingredient of marijuana

is a chemical compound known as THC.

THC is the chemical which produces what is known

as the high in its recreational users.

The effects of THC on the human mind and body

are primarily responsible for its controversial legal status

across the world.

The effects of this compound are relatively tame

in comparison to drugs such as alcohol

and include slight euphoria, relaxation,

heightened sensory perception,

and feelings of increased appetite

commonly known as the munchies.

Negative effects often take the form of increased anxiety,

dry mouth, impaired motor function,

and the reddening of the eyes.

Cannabis usually causes no tolerance or withdrawal symptoms

except in those who use the drug regularly.

From around 9% of those who use marijuana

develop any kind of addiction upon the drug,

and this is usually linked to underlying lifestyle

and mental issues.

Symptoms of withdrawal in these cases are usually limited

to irritability, boredom, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

Dependence upon marijuana is rarer

and less medically serious than dependence

upon tobacco and alcohol.

Those who use marijuana sensibly

to treat medical issues are at a very low risk

of forming any kind of dependency issues.

The negative effects of THC are more common

in people who use more marijuana than has been recommended

or if the cannabis is unexpectedly potent.

In fact, the amount of THC in recreational marijuana

has increased dramatically in recent decades.

In the mid 1990s, the average THC content

of weed was only around 4%.

By 2014, this had increased to about 12%,

and some recent strains have even seen highs of 37%.

As with most drugs, it is important to know

the source of supply in order to avoid unexpected results.

In states where medical marijuana is legal,

the drug is usually obtained

from professionally-recommended dispensaries

with known chemical composition.

The selective breeding of marijuana

to produce more THC seems to have begun in the 1960s

when psychoactive drugs were in high demand.

This is one of the reasons the Nixon Administration

took a harder stance towards marijuana.

Like LSD, marijuana was perceived

as a risk to traditional American society.

Government reactionaries were concerned

and likely scared by the liberal actions

and views of the younger generations,

and linked marijuana to their behavior.

- [Interviewer] How do you feel?

- Well, I feel very fine. (laughs)

I feel very buoyant and light and resilient.

Feels though this chair is not solid, it seems to be.

I have a feeling that my hands are not resting

against this chair,

and I see flashes of color quite a bit.

I see this rug, for example,

seems to have an awful lot of complements

of violet and yellow.

I see a lot of violets and yellows.

- [Narrator] THC, however, is one

of around 483 known compounds within the cannabis plant.

The least controversial extract of the cannabis plant

is known as CBD.

CBD has little, if any, intoxicating effects upon the user

and CBD-dominant strains of the cannabis plant

are primarily used medically.

The cannabinoids of CBD are similar

to chemicals produced in the human body

and are found in leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant.

There is no one strain of cannabis plant

which is known as medical marijuana.

The term applies to a variety of different strains

and this often leads to misunderstanding.

Of the over 400 different chemicals present

in the cannabis plant,

many cannabis medications only contain one or two of these.

The sheer number of active chemicals in marijuana

is one of the reasons why treatments

such as cannabis are difficult to classify and study.

This is also one of the reasons why further study

of the plant needs to be encouraged.

Patients have reported many positive effects

of the CBD compound.

For example, some report that the substance has assisted

in the relief of insomnia, anxiety, spasticity,

and CBD has also been noticed to having an effect

on patients suffering from epilepsy.

The symptoms of one particular form of childhood epilepsy

called Dravet syndrome has responded positively

to a strain of marijuana called Charlotte's Web.

Charlotte's Web is a strain of cannabis high in CBD

which does not include the psychoactive properties of THC.

The relationship between cannabis and epilepsy

has seen limited research

and would benefit from further studies.

The most common use of medical marijuana in the US

is for pain control.

Whilst marijuana is not potent enough

to alleviate severe pain from injuries such as broken bones,

it is very effective for the treatment

of persistent chronic pain,

an ailment which affects millions of Americans,

especially the elderly.

For instance, marijuana had proven highly effective

for treating the symptoms of arthritis,

especially when applied in cream or balm form.

Marijuana is in fact a safer treatment for pain

than many other painkiller drugs.

Unlike many opioids or drugs,

it is impossible to overdose on marijuana.

These drugs are also highly sedating,

whereas medical marijuana allows patients

to resume their previous activities

without feeling entirely lethargic.

One of the ways marijuana could be used to treat pain

is through the use of CBD oil.

CBD oil does not cause any kind of high

and simply reduces pain and inflammation.

In a 2016 study on the effects of CBD

on rats suffering from arthritis,

researchers noticed that the application of CBD led

to reduced inflammation and pain in the rats' joints.

Current research into CBD oil is limited at the present,

but the results we do have look very promising.

Currently, however, the FDA has not approved the use

of medical marijuana for pain relief.

Marijuana can also be used as muscle relaxant.

For example, many sufferers of Parkinson's disease

have reported that medical marijuana helps

to lessen their tremors.

Marijuana can also help reduce the tremors and spasms

which result in sufferers in multiple sclerosis.

Another use of medical marijuana

is in the treatment of nausea.

Chemical compounds present in the cannabis plant

interact with the brain's receptors

which deal with feelings of nausea.

The benefits of this were first noticed

in patients suffering from AIDS,

but it can also be beneficial to those

who are undergoing chemotherapy.

Marijuana has proven

to be far more effective anti-nausea drug

than more conventional drugs used

to treat chemotherapy-induced nausea.

Marijuana can also be used by patients suffering from HIV

to assist with wasting syndrome

and the general pain associated with the condition.

There is also some evidence to support the possibility

that marijuana assists with weight problems and diabetes.

Cannabinoids with marijuana have been shown

to help regulate insulin levels

and manage caloric intake more effectively.

One of the most effective possible uses

of medical marijuana is in the treatment of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve,

the cable that carries visual information

from the eyes to the brain.

Damage caused by glaucoma to the optic nerve

can result in vision loss and eventually complete blindness.

Current treatments for glaucoma focus

on lowering eye pressure.

These include eye drop medication, laser treatments,

and operation-room surgery.

However, there are individuals

for whom these treatments have proven ineffective

and have resulted in unwanted side effects.

This has led some to search for alternative medications

to treat the condition, especially marijuana.

The THC in marijuana causes the pressure build-up

around the eyes caused by glaucoma to subside.

Current clinical trials have been testing the ways

of applying THC, with studies focusing primarily

on pill and eye drop applications.

It is not currently recommended

to smoke marijuana to treat glaucoma

as the effects of reduced eye pressure only last

as long as the effects of the drug itself,

meaning that extremely regular smoking

of marijuana would be required

and this is in no way recommended.

Although more studies are clearly needed

before any firm conclusions can be drawn,

the existing research shows promising signs

that medical marijuana may, one day,

be an effective treatment for glaucoma.

Another promising area of research

is in the potential benefits

of using medical marijuana to treat Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease, also known as inflammatory bowel disease,

causes inflammation of the digestive tract.

Symptoms of the disease include abdominal pain,

severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition.

A number of studies of the effects of THC in marijuana

on patients suffering from Crohn's disease

have shown positive results.

In 2011, a study published

in the Israel Medical Association Journal

presented the results of the first ever research study

into the effects of cannabis on Crohn's.

All 30 patients who had responded negatively

to all other treatments stated the application

of medical marijuana improved their symptoms.

In 2013, another study was published

in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

The study revealed all patients experienced

a greater improvement in symptoms.

More research is needed, however,

before the medical community unanimously accepts

the treatment of Crohn's with medical marijuana

as it is currently unclear

whether marijuana fights the disease

or simply masks the symptoms.

Nevertheless, 29 states in the US

have permitted patients suffering from Crohn's

to obtain medical marijuana as treatment.

It is recommended that patients first consult

with their doctor.

If the doctor is registered

with a state medical marijuana program

and agrees that the treatment is appropriate,

a certificate and ID will be given to the patient

to allow them to acquire medical marijuana

from a dispensing facility.

Many also report the use of marijuana helps them

to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

Indeed, some studies have noted a link

between cannabinoids and reduced hypertension.

This is especially important to the American population.

One in three Americans suffer from hypertension.

Perhaps the most significant use of marijuana, however,

is in the treatment of cancer.

Recent scientific studies have shown

that cannabinoids present within all strains

of the cannabis plant fight certain types of cancer.

Studies in mice and rats have shown

that cannabinoids inhibit tumor growth

by causing cell death, blocking cell growth,

and blocking the development of the blood vessels needed

for tumors to grow.

Further studies have also shown

that cannabinoids may be able to kill cancer cells

while protecting normal, healthy cells.

One study revealed that cannabinoids protect

against inflammation of the colon,

thus reducing the risk of colon cancer.

Cannabinoids have also been shown

to be effective against liver cancer

where they are able to attack and kill tumors on the liver.

Similar results have also been found with breast cancer.

Further studies of CBD have shown

that it may increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

There is evidence to suggest that CBD helps

to increase cancer cell death

without harming normal cells whilst undergoing chemotherapy.

Medical marijuana have even been used

to treat STDs, especially herpes.

Herpes is a highly contagious virus

which is not only spread sexually,

but by something as little as a kiss or sharing lipstick.

The three main drugs used to cause herpes

can all cause unpleasant side effects

such as headaches, vomiting and diarrhea.

As a result, many sufferers have looked

to more natural remedies.

Cannabis is one of the main drugs people have turned to.

Studies from 1980, '91, and 2004 have shown

that cells infected with a herpes virus stop replicating

when treated with THC from the cannabis plant.

The 1991 study also showed that THC could inhibit

the infectious nature of the virus,

thus reducing infection rates.

Cannabinoids were also found to reduce the pain

caused by the herpes virus.

THC oils and creams especially help fight

against the spread and pain of sores.

The benefits of medical marijuana are not limited

to the treatment of physical conditions.

The drug can also greatly benefit those suffering

from psychological conditions such as PTSD.

A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry showed

that treatment using particular compounds found

in marijuana may benefit those with PTSD

and that cannabinoids may possess some benefits

in individuals with PTSD

by helping relieve haunting nightmares and other symptoms.

Many veterans suffering from PTSD have found

that the sensible use of medical marijuana has helped them

to reconnect with their emotions in a healthy and safe way.

Research published in Science Daily has revealed

that medical marijuana helps to decrease

the mental re-experiencing of traumatic experiences

and allows sufferers to better confront situations

which may remind them of the trauma.

Medical marijuana has also helped many deal

with the chronic physical pain associated

with their past trauma and assist them

with their anxiety and insomnia issues.

However, medical marijuana should never be used

as the sole treatment of PTSD.

It is important that sufferers use the drug

in conjunction with other paired therapies

and especially important that they join peer group support.

Similarly, positive results have been found

in the treatment of depression using medical marijuana.

Researchers from Washington State University have noticed

that adults reported a reduction in depression symptoms

by using marijuana that is low in THC but high in CBD.

The study also found that marijuana high in both CBD and THC

helped to reduce anxiety and stress.

Overall, the 12,000 users who took part in the study stated

that the symptoms of their depression, on average, halved.

The studies also showed CBD

to be the most important ingredient of marijuana

when dealing with depressive symptoms.

Another important find showed

that chronic long-term use should be avoided

as this could exacerbate the depressive symptoms.

Moderation is the best cause of action

when using medical marijuana

so that a dependency upon the drug does not form.

There is also research underway studying the effects

of medical marijuana upon sufferers of ADHD.

People with ADHD are often restless,

unable to focus upon tasks,

and sometimes find it difficult to stay quiet.

Treatment for ADHD usually involves the prescription

of Ritalin or Adderall.

These are believed to help correct the levels

of neurotransmitters in the brain called dopamine

and thus reduce the symptoms of ADHD.

However, these drugs can have unpleasant side effects

and some have turned to marijuana as a treatment option,

as marijuana is believed to have the same effect

upon dopamine levels.

Current research is in its early stages, however,

so it is not currently recommended to treat ADH sufferers

with any kind of cannabinoid until there is clear evidence.

It is especially important not to allow children

with ADHD access to any kind of marijuana product.

The brain of a child is still developing

and using marijuana can alter mental development

leading to harmful cognitive effects.

Recent scientific studies have shown that THC and CBD

could be used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's.

A laboratory study on mice

with symptoms of Alzheimer's showed

that a combination of CBD and THC helped to improve memory

and reduced the visual symptoms of the disease.

Medical marijuana may also be a viable treatment for OCD.

OCD is a kind of anxiety disorder

where an individual has unwanted and recurring thoughts,

obsessions, sensations, or ideas.

These usually compel the sufferer

to repeat actions compulsively.

Currently around 2.2 million Americans suffer from OCD.

Currently, doctors treat the disorder

with a combination of medication such as anti-anxiety

and anti-depressive drugs and psychotherapy.

Although current medications are usually effective,

they often have unwanted side effects.

For example, anti-depressants can cause headaches,

nausea, agitation, drowsiness, and insomnia.

The negative effects of currently-used drugs

have led some to turn to marijuana.

There is a possibility that medical marijuana,

especially strains high in CBD and low in THC

can help OCD patients deal with much of the anxiety

and stress their condition causes.

However, the link between OCD and cannabis

needs to be an area of further study.

Studies have also been performed into the possible treatment

of Tourette syndrome using medical marijuana.

Tourette's is a psychiatric disorder

which begins in childhood and is characterized

by uncontrollable verbal and physical tics.

Some common tics are eye-blinking,

coughing, throat-clearing, sniffing,

facial movements, and verbalizations.

In most cases, medication for Tourette's is not necessary.

However, some scientists have hypothesized

that medical marijuana could be an effective treatment

for the syndrome's symptoms.

Some studies have shown that when patients suffering

from Tourette's used the cannabinoid drug dronabinol,

there was an improvement in symptoms

with no adverse side effects.

Although smoking marijuana is the most common method

of administration in the recreational use of the drug,

this is not always the best way of using cannabis medically.

Smoking a hand-rolled joint is considered to be one

of the least effective ways of administrating marijuana

as much of the drug is lost through the smoke

as the joint burns.

The smoke from the joint can also be an irritant

in the lungs, and this method is not recommended

for anyone suffering from lung damage.

A healthier way of using the drug medically

is through the use of a vaporizer

or a water pipe known as a bong.

This negates the harmful chemicals

which can be inhaled through smoke.

The inhalation of medical marijuana allows the patient

to titrate the dosage depending upon their needs.

Inhalation causes almost instantaneous effects

as the medication is rapidly taken into the lungs

and absorbed into the bloodstream.

Cannabinoid medicine are often applied

in pill, oil, or spray form.

The spray is developed from THC and CBD extracts

mixed with alcohol and peppermint flavoring

and is applied into the mouth.

This is usually prescribed to those suffering

from multiple sclerosis.

The oils too can be applied in the mouth,

often under the tongue.

This allows for the rapid uptake

of the drug into the bloodstream.

Oils are also commonly applied to the skin

to treat inflammation, arthritis, or muscle pain.

Although medical use of cannabis

is now legal in many states,

many of those only allow for its use

in oil, pill, or spray forms.

Most states also only permit the use

of medical marijuana under certain medical circumstances

recognized and diagnosed by a doctor.

When considering the use of medical marijuana,

it is essential to make sure

that the medicine has been sourced

from medical-grade cannabis plants

that have not been chemically treated.

It is also important to find

a knowledgeable cannabis physician

who can properly advise on the dosage

and methods of application.

While medical cannabis use is increasing,

there are major social and legal barriers

which lead to cannabis research proceeding more slowly

and differently from standard medical research.

Legal restrictions upon marijuana have resulted

in unbelievable number of people being swallowed up

by the United States prison-industrial complex.

Eight million people were arrested

between 2001 and 2010 for possession

of marijuana in the USA,

feeding America's already absurdly large prison population.

Black Americans have been particularly targeted

for marijuana possession.

In fact, African Americans are four times more likely

to be imprisoned for possession of marijuana.

In 2016, more people were arrested

for marijuana possession than for rape and murder,

and someone is arrested

for marijuana possession every 45 seconds.

Every year, vast amounts of money are wasted

trying to combat marijuana use.

Cannabis prohibition costs American taxpayers $3 billion,

money which could go into medical research.

In the future, this will perhaps seem absurd

as the alcohol prohibitions of the 1920s,

even more so considering

that alcohol is many times more dangerous than marijuana.

Every year, alcohol abuse kills around 90,000 Americans.

Marijuana kills no one.

So how is it that so much trouble can be caused

by what is essentially a herb?

The real reasons for the illegality of marijuana

are surprising and should make us all question

the people who are dictating our laws.

In 1929, a man called Harry Anslinger became the head

of the Department of Prohibition.

Alcohol prohibition had been a complete disaster.

Alcohol production was now controlled by gangsters

and it had become more poisonous.

Up until this point, Anslinger had refused to ban marijuana.

He stated that there is no more absurd fallacy

than the idea that cannabis makes people violent.

However, once it became clear that prohibition had failed

and the ban on alcohol was lifted,

Anslinger's department was now entirely pointless.

It needed a new purpose.

Mr. Anslinger therefore turned on cannabis.

He told the people that marijuana has the effect

of causing delirious rage, turning a man into a wild beast,

and finally leading to complete insanity.

Plant was named the demon weed.

Anslinger tried to find medical backing for his claim.

He asked 30 leading scientists

whether marijuana could plausibly be said

to pose a threat to society and the individual.

29 of these scientists wrote back to him saying

that marijuana posed no threat at all.

Anslinger's job was done, however,

and a wave of panic spread through America

and marijuana was criminalized.

The USA then bullied other nations

such as Mexico into doing the same.

Initially, Mexico refused,

stating that it made no sense to criminalize marijuana.

The US then cut off painkiller supplies

to the country until they capitulated.

Anslinger also bullied many

of America's scientists into compliance.

Those who suggested that independent studies should be done

to ascertain the drug's dangers were threatened

and told to be quiet.

But why was Henry Anslinger so against marijuana?

He was the nephew-in-law of Andrew Mellon,

the largest shareholder

in the DuPont Chemical and Energy Company.

DuPont were nervous about the fact

that Henry Ford's new cars could be run

using a hemp-based fuel,

and so Anslinger was encouraged to focus on hemp's danger

as a drug rather than its economic potential.

Anslinger had allies.

Perhaps the most significant of these

was William Randolph Hearst,

the owner of a huge chain of newspapers.

Hearst had invested heavily in timber production

to produce the paper used to support the production

of his newspapers, and did not want to see hemp paper

become a commonly-used alternative.

His newspapers helped to spread lies about marijuana.

He especially liked to draw a link

between racial minorities and the drug.

Much of the anti-marijuana drive of this era

was based upon racism.

In 1934, newspapers released a statement saying

that marijuana influences Negros

to look at white people in the eye,

step on white men's shadows, and look at white women twice.

Marijuana was also linked to Mexicans,

a group Hearst especially liked to demonize in his columns.

Anti-marijuana propaganda was not limited to newspapers.

In 1936, a film was released called Reefer Madness

which painted marijuana-smokers

as rapists, addicts, and monsters.

This film was aimed at instilling a fear

of the drug into the younger generations,

thus ensuring that they grew up

to support and continue Anslinger's policies.

The effects of this social manipulation

are still strong in our time.

Marijuana was made illegal in the US

because of the ability of American industries

to influence and bully their way

into altering American laws.

Marijuana was made illegal internationally

because of the ability of the United States

to influence and bully other nations.

Only now are we beginning to clean up the mess

and truly come to understand the plant

that has been used by humanity for thousands of years.

But why has marijuana remained illegal for so long?

One answer to that question lies in the profits

of America's pharmaceutical companies.

Realizing that it is impossible to own a plant

from a naturally growing plant which can be grown by anyone,

pharmaceutical companies consistently conspire

to keep the drug out of American hands

unless they can profit from American wallets.

After claiming that marijuana has no medical benefits

and classing it as a Schedule I drug,

the US government has allowed pharmaceutical companies

to develop a synthetic version

of medical marijuana called MARINOL,

a drug with side effects

which include vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.

MARINOL is far less effective

and more dangerous than the actual cannabis plant.

Patients report that it is either not working,

making some symptoms worse, has unreliable effects,

or that its effects are too intense.

However, many patients are faced with a limited choice.

Take MARINOL, which is covered by their health insurance,

or use the more effective natural cannabis treatments

and risk breaking the law.

Because MARINOL is covered by health insurance,

pharmaceutical companies are guaranteed payment.

MARINOL can be controlled and produced

by pharmaceutical companies, and therefore,

a profit can be made from those who are suffering.

The pharmaceutical industry

sees natural medical marijuana as a threat.

Every year, pharmaceutical companies pay the US government

millions of dollars to keep marijuana illegal

at the federal level,

thus inhibiting the proper research of the drug,

stopping its widespread use, and ensuring profits.

Alcohol is another industry

which heavily lobbies the US government

to keep marijuana illegal.

Marijuana is a safer recreational drug than alcohol.

Alcohol causes violence, serious accidents,

diseases, and is highly susceptible to abuse.

Marijuana, on the other hand, is harmless in comparison.

Alcohol companies are afraid

of losing profits to competition

with a potentially recreational marijuana industry

should the drug become more widespread and legal.

It seems odd that our culture

often encourages alcohol abuse,

especially in colleges, whilst vilifying marijuana.

Overdosing on alcohol can easily cause death,

either from alcoholic poisoning or from accidents.

Marijuana doesn't even give users a hangover.

Imagine a world in which marijuana had always been legal

but alcohol was illegal.

How would anyone be able to justify

the legalization of alcohol, a drug which causes the deaths

of 90,000 Americans every year

and has a history of causing violence,

illness, and serious accidents,

a drug which endangers not only the user

but those around them.

Almost double the number of Americans die every year

from alcohol abuse than all the Americans who died

during the Vietnam War combined, and around 20 times more

than all the American troops killed in Iraq.

Marijuana, on the other hand, kills no one

and has a plethora of medical applications.

One drug is legal and even encouraged.

The other is demonized and criminalized.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the third major group lobbying

for marijuana's illegality in the USA are prisons.

Prisons in America do not merely act

in the interests of public safety.

They exist for profit.

The more inmates a private prison can lock away,

the better its chances of profiting from contracts.

Marijuana users, therefore,

being one of the most incarcerated groups,

are also a highly profitable group to lock away.

Madam Justice is not blind,

but America, she only sees the color green.

It's time to end the lies,

the hypocrisy, and the profiteering.

It's time for the American government

to right the wrongs of previous administrations

and decriminalize one of the most useful drugs

ever discovered by mankind.

Pharmaceutical industry, alcohol companies,

the US prison-complex, for far too long

have had an indecent amount of control

over US government policy.

Governments should not act in the interests

of a select group to the detriment of the majority.

Perhaps what could open government eyes

is the immense potential

for profit in the marijuana industry.

It is estimated that by 2018,

the marijuana industry in states where it has been legalized

will see profits of 11 billion,

rising to $21 billion in 2021.

If marijuana was legalized at the federal level,

the medical marijuana industry could see a boom

not only in scientific research and discovery,

but also in profits and economic growth.

The US could be a world leader

in medical marijuana industry.

From the very beginnings of human history,

mankind has recognized and utilized

the medical benefits of the cannabis plant.

In recent times, new scientific studies are proving

that early man was no fool.

Medical marijuana has the potential to treat a range

of illnesses and conditions from cancer to PTSD.

However, further research into these areas of application

have been hampered by the misguided policies

of the US Federal Government,

policies founded upon lies, greed, and even racism,

policies perpetuated by an unjust culture of lobbying

from powerful groups who do not have the best interest

of America's patients at heart.

Real good could be done in our time

by the federal legalization of marijuana.

People suffering from debilitating diseases,

chronic pain, and even the trauma of combat

could seriously be helped by scientific research

into the medical applications of marijuana.