Before going into these benefits, it is important to point of that smoking marijuana is still known to be toxic. It is more correct to say that marijuana contains chemicals that have useful medical benefits. Unfortunately, for those that may be helped by those chemicals, marijuana also contains toxic and psychoactive chemicals.
In fact, marijuana contains over 400 chemicals.
In most cases, the side-effects of the 'bad' chemicals far outweigh the benefits of the 'good' ones. As far as getting the product registered as an approved medication, the side-effects make it near impossible.
But still, in marijuana we have chemicals that have been proven to have medical effects. Assume that these chemicals can be isolated, proved effective, and that effective means of delivering the drug can be found.
If all these points are met, there are big possibilities.
Relieving Pain
By far the most well known use is a a reliever of pain, or analgesic. Especially in cases of chronic pain. There are many sufferers of chronic pain smoking marijuana as a means to relieve their pain. While smoking marijuana is known to be at least as toxic as smoking cigarettes, this method of delivery is useful for those with constant pain. It is one of the quickest ways of feeling the effects and it also allows them to self-regulate their dosage. A pill or an injection would not be as easy for these people to control.
Anti-asthmatic, anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory
Other well known uses are as an anti-asthmatic, anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory. It seems especially strange that smoking marijuana could assist in preventing asthma. But many studies have been completed that document the benefits of marijuana in these areas.
Huntington's Disease Results of a study were published in 1986 showing benefical effects on those suffering from Huntington's Disease. Three patients were given Cannabidiol, one of the chemicals in marijuana. After two weeks, the choreic movements associated with the disease had decreased by 20 - 40%. This was with almost no side effects reported.
Epilepsy A Brazilian study investigated the effects of Cannabidiol on eight epileptic patients. Of these eight, four were free of convulsions, three had some improvement and one remained the same. This was with no reported side effects. A second Brazilian study reported improvement in seven of eight patients.
Tourette's Syndrome In 1987 an Australian study reported considerable improvement in sufferers of Tourette's Syndrome while smoking marijuana. At this point, it is unsure whether this is related to the anxiety-reducing properties of marijuana, or active chemicals in it.
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