Does weed really cure cancer?

Weed, or otherwise known as marijuana, has a very controversial history. Its scientific name is Cannabis Sativa.  It currently has a limited medical use. Medical researchers have isolated substances from the plant, known as cannabinoids that can be used to achieve more predictable effects. 

It is important to note that medicinal marijuana is not yet a form of treatment and is not curative. It is used to treat cancer symptoms like pain and to relieve select side effects of treatment, that are associated with different kinds of cancers, such as breast cancer, stomach cancer, head and neck cancers, lung cancer etc.  Unfortunately this list is too long to be continued...

Certain cannabinoid drugs have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to relieve nausea and vomiting, increase appetite in people with cancer and AIDS. Other marijuana extracts are still being tested. 

It is claimed that kush weed (kush refers to a subset of strains of Cannabis Indica) has antibacterial properties, inhibits the tumor growth, eases the severity of asthma attacks and so on. 

As of 2012, there are reports online suggesting that marijuana oil or “hemp” oil can cure cancer, as well as many other diseases, such as diabetes, ulcers, arthritis, migraines, insomnia and infections. According to these reports smoking weed does not have the same effects as consuming the 'hemp' oil orally. 

On the other hand there are a lot of challenges in the marijuana research, because the plant itself contains many compounds that react differently in the organism. Another factor is that effects vary, depending on how marijuana is consumed. Also the method of extraction of these compounds is important. 

But, if this plant seems to have so many good properties, why is it illegal? This question would arise naturally to anyone that doesn't have knowledge on its past. Marijuana use, according to the White House on marijuana legalization, is associated not only with dependence, but also with many other negative aspects. 

The supporters of the 'hemp oil cure', known as the Phoenix Tears, claim that if the weed is eaten and not smoked, it does not have any addictive properties, but this is in the process of being tested by the scientific community and there are no legal protocols on the matter yet. 

References

1. American Association for Cancer Research. “Marijuana Cuts Lung Cancer Tumor Growth In Half, Study Shows.” ScienceDaily, 17 Apr. 2007. Web. 17 Oct. 2011.

2. "Kirk and Law Enforcement: Super-Marijuana 'Kush' Hits Suburbs". June 15, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-30.

3. Guy, Geoffrey William; Brian Anthony Whittle, Philip Robson (2004). The Medicinal Uses of Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Pharmaceutical Press. p. 61. ISBN 0-85369-517-2.

4. Jackson, Trevor (November 10, 2001). "Cannabis the wonder drug?". British Medical Journal (British Medical Association) 323 (7321): 1136. doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7321.1136. PMC 1121619. Retrieved 2008-03-14.