Among the top uses of marijuana, medicinal use is slowly creeping up on recreational use and may soon surpass it. For years people were skeptical about weed's ability to deliver therapeutic properties for different illnesses. Add prohibition to the list, and the skepticism was even higher. Legalization has changed how the general population perceives pot and the people who use it.
Does cannabis qualify as a medicinal alternative? For a few decades, research has shown that weed is effective when used to treat some symptoms and illnesses. All users must do is look up CBD capsules near me, and they will get THC, CBD, and other marijuana-related capsules. These capsules, as well as other products, can be taken to help with several negative symptoms.
History of Marijuana Use
Weed has been in history books for longer than most people know. The earliest record of marijuana use was in 2800 BC in China. Before that, there were allegations of use across South Asia, but without any records to verify the same, Emperor Shen Nung's medicinal books became the first cited use. Emperor Shen Nung was a well-versed health practitioner that used alternative medicine such as cannabis.
Other than in China, there have been other instances where the drug was used for recreational and medicinal purposes. Weed use was recorded in Hindu cultures, Assyrians, Greeks, and Romans. Each of these cultures had its kinds of concoctions and formulations. Some were in the form of drinks, while others were solid substances.
Among the Hindus, the drug was slotted as Lord Shiva's favorite food. Lord Shiva was commonly referred to as the Lord of Bhang. Weed's entry into the Western world can be credited to William Brooks O'Shaughnessy in 1841 after a trip to India. While in India, he saw it being used to treat different illnesses and recorded this. From there, research on the substance commenced resulting in revolutionary findings such as the isolation of cannabinoids.
Legalization of Weed
Until 1970 there were no explicit laws restricting the use of weed. There was a tax-related act in 1930, but it did not prohibit the use and sale of the commodity. The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 changed this; anyone found using or selling the drug could be jailed.
In prohibiting marijuana use, the law saw that other cannabis-related products were also banned. Federal prohibition stands to date. On the other hand, state legalizations have eased bans over the past few decades. The first state to allow pot use was California, where they passed the Compassionate Use Act.
After California legalization started sweeping through the country like a wave. Not only were they legalizing medicinal use, but soon enough, recreational use became legal. In 2022 over 39 states have a legal status for the medicinal use of the herb and about 19 for recreational use.
Medicinal Value of Cannabis
When seeking marijuana as a medicinal alternative, most people often wonder if it is compelling enough. Their doubts are due to advocates arguing that weed can be harmful instead of helping, as people claim. Both claims have some facts, but it is important to note that the drug's medicinal use has been widely researched and verified.
Nowadays, it is common for health practitioners to write cannabis prescriptions for their patients instead of particular medications. Studies have looked at the different illnesses where marijuana can be helpful, and with each year, the list seems to grow longer. How does weed bring about medicinal relief?
As they analyzed the plant, scientists soon discovered CBD as one of the cannabinoids in the plant's system. CBD is the main ingredient in medicinal cannabis because of its effects on the body. The cannabinoid reacts with specific receptors leading to the delivery of anti-inflammatory properties. These properties induce the body into a state of relaxation and work against pain, stress, and many other adverse elements.
The applicability of medicinal marijuana can be traced to the treatment of some commonly known illnesses. Research into cancer treatment was enforced by the claims that it reduces pain and helps with nausea. Also, after increased studies, it was public that cannabis could reduce growth and kill cancer cells.
Other than cancer, marijuana also helps with other diseases that result in chronic pain. This is the likes of Alzheimer's, Arthritis, and more how it can do the same by inducing its anti-inflammatory properties. Those properties have also proven effective in treating skin problems like eczema. Applying it on the skin reduces swelling and redness due to allergic reactions.
Conclusion
Weed use has varied as people take the drug to facilitate their needs. When it comes to medicinal purposes, historical records show the plant has been in use for centuries. From Asian cultures to Hindu and even Roman ones, there were extensive uses of the plant. Due to the same, the use has trickled down to modern times, where the strategies have been refined further. With CBD and other weed products, the drug is used to help with pain relief and other negative symptoms such as stress and loss of appetite.
