The unwanted side effects of having marijuana classified as a DEA Schedule 1 Controlled Substance continue to plague this country, including a highly expensive war on drugs that has resulted in nothing but mass incarceration, among other things.
Unfortunately, the FDA is more invested in approving big pharmaceutical drugs that have a much greater potential for harm than marijuana, as well as decreased effectiveness by comparison.
In fact, the FDA recently approved Oxycontin, one of the most addictive painkillers available (because it's synthetic heroin), to be used by 11-year-old children.
Meanwhile, unpublicized studies that have yielded incredibly promising evidence that cannabis is chock-full of medicinal value have been referenced by the NCI (National Cancer Institute), but only regarding pre-treatment options to help ease the side effects that accompany chemotherapy.
Even though there are numerous cases of cannabis curing cancer, they get dismissed by government entities as anecdotal, so no attention is ever paid to them.
But, as promised, the information put forth by the NCI regarding cannabis' ability to promote anti-tumor activity can be found here, as well as on their cannabis Q&A page:
The NCI Excerpt
Studies in mice and rats have shown that cannabinoids may inhibit tumor growth by causing cell death, blocking cell growth, and blocking the development of blood vessels needed by tumors to grow. Laboratory and animal studies have shown that cannabinoids may be able to kill cancer cells while protecting normal cells.
A study in mice showed that cannabinoids may protect against inflammation of the colon and may have potential in reducing the risk of colon cancer, and possibly in its treatment.
A laboratory study of delta-9-THC in hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) cells showed that it damaged or killed the cancer cells. The same study of delta-9-THC in mouse models of liver cancer showed that it had antitumor effects. Delta-9-THC has been shown to cause these effects by acting on molecules that may also be found in non-small cell lung cancer cells and breast cancer cells.
A laboratory study of cannabidiol (CBD) in estrogen receptor positive and estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cells showed that it caused cancer cell death while having little effect on normal breast cells. Studies in mouse models of metastatic breast cancer showed that cannabinoids may lessen the growth, number, and spread of tumors.
A laboratory study of cannabidiol (CBD) in human glioma cells showed that when given along with chemotherapy, CBD may make chemotherapy more effective and increase cancer cell death without harming normal cells. Studies in mouse models of cancer showed that CBD together with delta-9-THC may make chemotherapy such as temozolomide more effective.
STIMULATING CANCER PATIENTS APPETITE
–Many animal studies have shown that delta-9-THC and other cannabinoids stimulate appetite and can increase food intake.
PAIN RELIEF
–Cannabinoid receptors (molecules that bind cannabinoids) have been studied in the brain, spinal cord, and nerve endings throughout the body to understand their roles in pain relief.
–Cannabinoids have been studied for anti-inflammatory effects that may play a role in pain relief.
END
With synthetic drugs being approved and sold to the masses on a regular basis, numerous trials on humans and animals regarding cannabis and its ability to treat various diseases go ignored.
PubMed is a great site to research information, and a quick search for 'cannabis' or 'marijuana' will net you a few studies that show cannabis in a positive light.
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