leaffan
Well-Known Member
I was doing some digging and found this government publication.
It seems to contradict their stance of marijuana has no studies and no medicinal benefits...
http://www.parl.gc.ca/content/sen/committee/371/ille/presentation/amar-e.htm
THERAPEUTIC USES OF CANNABIS
Cannabis is currently used as a therapeutic product throughout the world.
The following benefits of cannabis have been documented around the world by various medical and government bodies.
Hence, many sick people in Canada have obtained Health Canada approval to smoke cannabis for therapeutic reasons; however, it is still illegal to grow cannabis.
Health Canada has awarded funds for clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of marijuana.
N.B.: The mode of action of THC is still not properly understood.
ACUTE CANNABIS INTOXICATION
Central effects
Less frequently:
PERIPHERAL EFFECTS
OVERDOSE
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROGRESSION OF EFFECTS
Smoking cannabis
Ingesting cannabis
INTERVENTION IN THE EVENT OF ACUTE INTOXICATION
CHRONIC EFFECTS
TERATOGENICITY
* Heavy cannabis use during pregnancy may impair fetal development
* Possibility of fetal death, premature birth, organ malformations, failure to thrive, cardiac toxicity, and impaired immune system
TOLERANCE AND PHARMACODEPENDENCE
It seems to contradict their stance of marijuana has no studies and no medicinal benefits...
http://www.parl.gc.ca/content/sen/committee/371/ille/presentation/amar-e.htm
THERAPEUTIC USES OF CANNABIS
Cannabis is currently used as a therapeutic product throughout the world.
The following benefits of cannabis have been documented around the world by various medical and government bodies.
- Feeling of well-being
- Increased sociability
- Muscle relaxant
- Analgesic effect
- Appetite stimulation
- Antiemetic effect
- Anticonvulsant effect
- Lower intraocular pressure
Hence, many sick people in Canada have obtained Health Canada approval to smoke cannabis for therapeutic reasons; however, it is still illegal to grow cannabis.
Health Canada has awarded funds for clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of marijuana.
- Community Research Initiative of Toronto (CRIT): usefulness of cannabis among individuals with HIV/AIDS
- McMaster University, Hamilton: usefulness of cannabis among patients with epilepsy
- Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, Saskatoon: evaluation of the effects of cannabis on muscle spasticity among sufferers of multiple sclerosis and
- G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver: evaluation of the effects of cannabis on spasticity of limbs among individuals with spinal cord injuries
N.B.: The mode of action of THC is still not properly understood.
ACUTE CANNABIS INTOXICATION
Central effects
- Euphoria: feeling of well-being and satisfaction
- Feelings of calmness and relaxation
- Loquacity
- Gaiety that may include infectious laughter
- Freedom from care
- Sociability
- Increased self-confidence
- Distorted perception of time, space and self-image
- Heightened sensory perceptions
- Impaired short-term memory, attention and concentration
- Impaired ability to complete complicated tasks
- Impaired balance reflexes and motor co-ordination (driving affected)
- Increased appetite (especially for sweet foods)
- Increased libido
Less frequently:
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Convulsions
PERIPHERAL EFFECTS
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Tachycardia
- Bronchodilation
- Red eyes
- Dry mouth
OVERDOSE
- Drowsiness
- Disorientation
- Confusion
- Cognitive disorganization
- Impaired judgment
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Rarely, toxic psychosis (especially among predisposed individuals)
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROGRESSION OF EFFECTS
Smoking cannabis
- Very rapid onset of effect (few minutes)
- Peak effect after 30 minutes
- Duration of effect: 2 to 4 hours (and residual effects)
Ingesting cannabis
- Slower onset of effect
- More progressive and prolonged effects
- Less euphoria
INTERVENTION IN THE EVENT OF ACUTE INTOXICATION
- Calm and reassure the patient
- Dedramatize the situation
- If necessary, sedate moderately with a benzodiazepine
- These problems are not life-threatening
- There is no antidote for cannabis, and no specific medical treatment
CHRONIC EFFECTS
- Impaired memory, attention and concentration (reversible)
- Amotivational syndrome: passivity, decreased initiative, apathy, loss of interest
- Variable effect on sexual function (in some cases, decreased fertility in males and females)
- Respiratory problems resulting from inhalation:
- Pharyngitis, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema
- More harmful than tobacco because the tar contained in cannabis smoke contains a higher concentration of carcinogenic agents, thereby resulting in an increased risk of lung cancer
- Decreased resistance to infection
TERATOGENICITY
* Heavy cannabis use during pregnancy may impair fetal development
* Possibility of fetal death, premature birth, organ malformations, failure to thrive, cardiac toxicity, and impaired immune system
TOLERANCE AND PHARMACODEPENDENCE
- Development of sensitization resulting from the transformation of THC into more active 11-hydroxy-THC by the liver
- Little tolerance among occasional users
- Significant tolerance if doses and frequency of use are high
- Minimal physical dependence
- Psychological dependence may be significant
- Withdrawal symptoms observed among chronic users of large doses
- Withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, restlessness, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, dysphoria, increased reflexes, headaches, sweating, loss of appetite, nausea, and intestinal cramps