Medical use of marijuana

There are lot of myths about effects of marijuana. On one hand, it is considered as a stimulant with addictive potential. On the other hand, some beneficial medical effects of marijuana and cannabinoids have been reported lately. In the present study, we summarize the use of the drug and its derivative in the treatment of chronic pain, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, inflammatory bowel diseases, and other types of inflammation. Marijuana is rich in around 400 chemical compounds, 60 of which belong to the group of cannabinoids, the main one being delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The two main distinguished types of cannabinoid receptors are: CB1R and CB2R. The first one is believed to mediate psychoactive action, while the second one may be responsible for anti-inflammatory and other therapeutic effects of cannabis. In every case of medical use of marijuana and its derivatives the risk/benefit ratio should be individually considered.