C. Sativa Research Paper

The plant Cannabis sativa has been used to treat various health conditions all throughout history. The earliest reported use of C. sativa as medicine dates back to 1500-1200 B.C (Mikuriya, 1969). This early use of cannabis as medicine had no scientific validity until research was conducted in the mid-20th century. Since then, medical cannabis has been used for the treatment of pain management and appetite stimulation caused by conditions such as HIV/AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington’s Disease, and chemotherapy treatments. Recent studies into the medical uses of cannabis has identified cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of epilepsy. CBD is one of >100 constituents of C. sativa. CBD is the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the plant, the most
However, more in-depth clinical trials need to be conducted to conclude whether or not CBD is effective at reducing the frequency of seizures as well as its possible side effects. Safety of Cannabidiol in Humans Several studies on the safety of CBD have shown no significant side effects of acute CBD consumption. However, it is still not clear if there are any risks associated with long-term use of CBD. One potential side effect of long-term CBD use is immunosuppression due to a decrease in the production of IL-8 and IL-10. More studies need to be conducted on both short and long-term use in order to conclude overall safety in humans. (Bergamaschi, Queiroz, Zuardi, & Crippa, 2011)

The Legality and Ethical Dilemma The federal Controlled Substance Act (CSA) classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug. Schedule I drugs are, determined by the government, to have no accepted medical use, high potential for abuse, and considered unsafe for human consumption. This classification includes all constituents of cannabis, including CBD. (Marcoux, Larrat, & Vogenberg,