Why America needs Cannabis

The History of Cannabis

Historically, cannabis has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal plant to treat various ailments. Only in the last century has cannabis been misrepresented as a harmful drug with no health benefits. Despite propaganda targeting cannabis users—especially Latinos, Blacks, and the sick—a closer look at history reveals its essential role in human evolution and medical treatment. Below are a few facts that highlight the historical use of cannabis.

Cannabis' healing powers date back to around 2700 BC when the Father of Chinese Medicine, Emperor Shen Neng, recommended it to treat over 100 different ailments.

Around 1200 BC, Egyptians utilized cannabis for glaucoma, inflammation, and other skin ailments. The period from 1837 to 1937 is often referred to as the Golden Age of Medical Cannabis, during which it was a common ingredient in commercial pharmaceutical treatments, featuring in over 600 medical products. In 1851, Cannabis was added to the US Pharmacopeia, the official public standard for prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. Canadian physician William Osler, a founder of Johns Hopkins Hospital, believed cannabis was "probably the most satisfactory remedy" for migraines. (1)

However, the perception of cannabis changed dramatically in the 1900s. The introduction of synthetic drugs like aspirin, barbiturates, and injectable opiates, which unlike cannabis could be patented for profit, shifted the medical landscape. Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon, a wealthy investor in pharmaceutical companies, appointed his niece’s husband, Commissioner Harry J. Anslinger, to head the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. Despite substantial scientific evidence and historical usage supporting cannabis' benefits, Anslinger manipulated research studies to falsely link cannabis a.k.a marijuana with racism, violence, crime, prostitution, promiscuity, and insanity, effectively brainwashing the public against cannabis. He aggressively campaigned against what he termed the "Marijuana Menace," spreading false stories of horrific crimes allegedly committed by Mexicans under the influence of cannabis. (1) 

America’s Mental Health Crisis

The report "Stress in America 2023: A Nation Recovering from Collective Trauma" explores the enduring psychological effects of various significant crises. Analyzing mental and physical health before and after the pandemic, the report highlights evidence of collective trauma across all age groups. Additionally, the trauma experienced by Americans extends beyond the pandemic, encompassing global conflicts, racism and racial injustice, inflation, and climate-related disasters. (2)

Psychological research indicates that prolonged stress can lead to various mental health issues, heightened sensitivity to everyday hassles, a negative impact on overall life perspective and goals, and significant effects on the body's physiological stress response, which can compromise physical health. Managing long-term stress necessitates a different skill set compared to dealing with short-term stressors. (2)

Persistent stress keeps the body on high alert, and its accumulation can cause inflammation, weaken the immune system, and raise the risk of numerous health problems, including digestive issues, heart disease, weight gain, and stroke. (2)

The national increase in stress and PTSD is correlated to an increase in chronic illnesses and mental health disorders. Ages 18 - 34 reporting to be impacted the most. Some of the most common diagnoses are depression, anxiety and substance abuse.  (2)

Due to pharmaceutical intervention and a band-aid approach, many individuals struggle to truly comprehend their own health issues, often becoming victims of the system as they try one medication after another and visit multiple doctors with minimal improvement. Lack of access to Cannabis medicine which has proven to be an amazing supplement to stress management and wellness, leaves Americans struggling to survive and barely thriving in our current day. 

The Evidence of Cannabis Therapeutic & Medical Benefits

“In recent surveys of medical marijuana patients, eighty percent of patients report reduced use of prescription drugs upon initiation of medical marijuana, citing more effective relief of symptoms, less withdrawal, and fewer adverse side effects as reasons for the switch. Prescriptions for drugs used to treat pain, anxiety, nausea, psychoses, seizures, sleep disorders, depression, and spasticity decrease following legalization of medical marijuana. Decreases are also reported in use of illicit drugs and alcohol by medical marijuana (MMJ) patients” (3)

There is compelling evidence for the use of Cannabis as a multifaceted medical & therapeutic tool for the healing of the Mind, Body and Spirit and betterment of our communities and society as whole. Especially for those communities marginalized by the war on drugs which suffer from severe chronic stress disorders and disease. 

The benefits are due to active compounds produced by Cannabis. These compounds, known collectively as phytocannabinoids, which include Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) ,  act on the endocannabinoid system of all vertebrates. The endocannabinoid system is like the conductor of an orchestra maintaining the harmony amongst the different organ systems and physiological functions. Its role in the body is to create homeostasis and as a result can have significant results in the Mental, Physical and Emotional health of individuals struggling to heal with the conventional medical approach. 

Due to its schedule I status, for many years research has been limited to the harmful effects of Cannabis use. Even though globally other countries have had the evidence to show the therapeutic effects of Cannabis these have been largely ignored. The interests of pharmaceutical companies are at stake at the legalization of a potent therapeutic medicinal plant who would save thousands of lives.

In a recent study, 222 articles were analyzed qualitatively, and 23 of these provided data comparing disease and death rates between cannabis users and non-users to estimate the impact of cannabis use on premature death rates. The results indicated that current cannabis use prevents approximately 17,400 to 38,500 premature deaths annually. The analysis predicts that if medical marijuana were legal nationwide, an estimated 23,500 to 47,500 deaths could be prevented annually. (3)

Prohibition of cannabis, including in states with legal access as of 2015, is responsible for an estimated 6,100 to 9,000 deaths annually due to lack of access to medical marijuana. This prohibition also contributes to increased deaths from cancer, diabetes mellitus, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) because fewer people use marijuana. Overall, cannabis prohibition is estimated to cause as many premature deaths as drunk driving, homicide, or fatal opioid overdoses. (3)

Research on Neurological Illnesses

A recent study demonstrated that low doses of THC can rejuvenate the aging mouse brain by altering gene expression, leading to improvements in learning and memory. Laboratory studies have shown that THC and other cannabinoid receptor agonists can reduce Alzheimer’s pathology and enhance brain function in aging individuals. Additionally, cannabinoids have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties that benefit various brain diseases. For instance, cannabis alleviates symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and slows its progression. Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, ALS, and Huntington’s disease also benefit from cannabinoids. Cannabis and cannabinoids can significantly reduce or even eliminate seizures in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy, leading some families to relocate to states with more permissive cannabis laws for access to these treatments. Annually, Alzheimer's disease is reported to cause 84,747 deaths, though some studies suggest the number may be as high as 503,000. Parkinson’s disease accounts for 25,196 deaths annually, and epilepsy results in a three-fold increase in mortality rates. (3)

Conclusion

It is evident that Americans urgently need effective therapeutic treatments for managing chronic and stress-related conditions, along with better access to wellness information. Cannabis offers a pathway to a more conscious and healthy society, empowering individuals to take charge of their own healing journey. Just as each person's fingerprint is unique, so is the Endocannabinoid system, requiring a personalized approach to health. This perspective could transform conventional medical practices, which often rely on standardized protocols. Legalizing this historically and evolutionarily medicinal plant could save thousands of lives in America and, as a global leader, potentially save millions of lives worldwide.

1. Natural Wellness Academy. (2023). Cannabis Coaching Module 1: The History.

2. American Psychological Association. (2023). Stress in America 2023: A Nation Recovering from Collective Trauma. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2023/collective-trauma-recovery.

3. Clark, Thomas (2017) Cannabis Use Is Associated with a Substantial Reduction in Premature Deaths in the United States. Indiana University South Bend.

Written by Estefania Valencia

7/31/2024