The Safety Profile of Medical Cannabis
As with any medication, patients should consult their primary care physician before deciding whether medical marijuana would be an appropriate addition to their medication regime.
Marijuana contains more than 400 chemical components; at least 85 cannabiniods have been isolated from the plant. The most prevalent ones include delta-9-THC, cannabinol and cannabidiol.
Marijuana is a remarkably safe drug. The reason for this may be explained by how it is processed in the body. Marijuana’s active ingredients, cannabinoids, work with endocannabinoid cells in our bodies. Endocannabinoids are a natural part of the endocannabinoid system, and the receptor cells for this system are concentrated in many parts of the brain and through-out our body. The one place where they are lacking is in the brain stem, which is where the body controls respiratory and cardiovascular functions. You will not stop breathing and your heart will not stop beating due to your cannabis use. Therefore, even strong doses do not endanger life.* According to a Rand report; serious, acute health problems due to moderate or even excessive use were rare.
That is not to say that marijuana is without side effects. Like all drugs, marijuana can cause harm if taken in excess or abused. Some people respond poorly to it , finding it to be more unpleasant than beneficial. Just like any drug that can be prescribed, not every drug works for every patient, nor are the side effects the same. There may be some populations that are susceptible to increased risks from the use of cannabis, such as adolescents, pregnant or nursing mothers, and patients who have a family history of mental illness. Patients with Hepatitis C, decreased lung function (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), or who have a history of heart disease or stroke may also be at a greater risk of experiencing adverse side effects from marijuana. Respiratory damage, increased risk of heart attack, psychosis and harm to the fetus in pregnant women who smoke marijuana, are all adverse side effects that may be experienced by patients who have compromised health conditions where smoking may exacerbate their effects. As with any medication, patients should consult thoroughly with their physician before deciding whether the medicinal use of cannabis is safe and appropriate.**
Each patient is individual. Each patient is unique.
Being an educated patient is paramount to successfully managing any illness or disease.
* excerpts from Marijuana Medical Handbook by Gieringer, Rosenthal, Carter
** excerpts from NORML