Cannabis has been used as a medicine for thousands of years. Various medical uses were described 4000 years ago by the Chinese emperor Shen-nung in his medical book Pen-ts'ao Ching. Cannabis was mentioned as a medicine in the susruta of India before the 8th century A.D. It's main uses nowadays include treatment of pain, nausea, lack of appetite, sleeping disorders, auto-immune diseases (MS) and glaucoma.

What is medicinal cannabis?

Medicinal cannabis is a purified and highly consistent formulation of cannabis which:
   · Is produced from plants cultivated under controlled conditions
      (Meticulously inspected for mold, fungi, animal hair and feces, insects, mites,
      chemicals, etc. Basically, the presence of anything that isn't cannabis)
   · Can be approved by doctors for medicinal purposes
   · Minimizes the unwanted effects that are associated with the use of recreational cannabis

How does medicinal cannabis work?

The way in which cannabis exerts its effects on the human body has recently become clearer with the discovery that the active components of cannabis (termed cannabinoids) mimic the effects of chemicals (endocannabinoids) that naturally occur in the human brain and body. These chemicals act as 'signals' or 'messengers' that help control how the body functions. So, the use of cannabinoids to mimic these chemicals may affect different symptoms and how the patient experiences them.

How is medicinal cannabis different from recreational cannabis?

Medicinal cannabis is only available when approved by a Doctor for people with specific medical conditions. Medicinal cannabis is supplied as a highly consistent, purified formulation.

Recreational cannabis occurs in numerous forms and may be adulterated with a number of other substances . There is no standardization and users have no guarantee of potency or content.

Is medicinal cannabis legal?

Yes! On November 5, 1996, the people of California passed Proposition 215. Through this Initiative Measure, Section 11362.5 was added to the Health & Safety Code, and is also known as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. The purposes of the Act include, in part:

"(A) To ensure that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes where the medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician who has determined that the person's health would benefit from the use of marijuana in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief; and

(B) To ensure that patients and their primary caregivers who obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes upon the recommendation of a physician are not subject to criminal prosecution or sanction."

Furthermore, Health & Safety Code section 11362.5(c) provides strong protection for physicians who choose to participate in the implementation of the Act. - "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no physician in this state shall be punished, or denied any right or privilege, for having recommended marijuana to a patient for medical purposes."