Cannabis (/ˈkænəbɪs/) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. The number of species within the genus is disputed. Three species may be recognized: Cannabis sativa, C.indica, and C.ruderalis. Alternatively, C.ruderalis may be included within C.sativa, all three may be treated as subspecies of C.sativa, or C.sativa may be accepted as a single undivided species. The genus is widely accepted as being indigenous to and originating from Asia.
Medical cannabis, or medical marijuana (MMJ), is cannabis and cannabinoids that are prescribed by physicians for their patients. The use of cannabis as medicine has not been rigorously tested due to production and governmental restrictions, resulting in limited clinical research to define the safety and efficacy of using cannabis to treat diseases.
Preliminary evidence has indicated that cannabis might reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy and reduce chronic pain and muscle spasms. Regarding non-inhaled cannabis or cannabinoids, a 2021 review found that it provided little relief against chronic pain and sleep disturbance, and caused several transient adverse effects, such as cognitive impairment, nausea, and drowsiness. (Full article...)
Image 22Hemp being grown in Oregon in 2020 (from Hemp)
Image 23The Ebers Papyrus (c.1550 BCE) from Ancient Egypt has a prescription for medical marijuana applied directly for inflammation. (from Medical cannabis)
Image 24Cannabis female flower with visible trichomes (from Cannabis)
Image 25Relative size of cannabis types (from Cannabis strain)
Image 26Relative size of varieties of Cannabis (from Cannabis)
Image 27Comparison of physical harm and dependence regarding various drugs (from Cannabis)
Image 30The use of cannabis, at least as fiber, has been shown to go back at least 10,000 years in Taiwan. "Dà má" (Pinyin pronunciation) is the Chinese expression for cannabis, the first character meaning "big" and the second character meaning "hemp". (from Medical cannabis)
Image 31Cannabis as illustrated in Köhler's Book of Medicinal Plants, 1897 (from Medical cannabis)
Image 35The number of publications about marijuana/cannabis according to Web of Science (from History of cannabis)
Image 36The Chinese character for hemp (麻 or má) depicts two plants under a shelter. Notably, the same character also means "numb". Cannabis cultivation dates back at least 3000 years in Taiwan. (from History of cannabis)
The illegality of cannabis is outrageous, an impediment to full utilization of a drug which helps produce the serenity and insight, sensitivity and fellowship so desperately needed in this increasingly mad and dangerous world.