Cannabis: Substance that Heals or Substance that Kills

Cannabis sativa is believed to be one of the oldest plants man has cultivated. But throughout the history it was subjected to the lots of debates for its ethical use. This plant has provided a way to look into the number of medical challenges from analgesia to weight loss and promising clues to treating medical syndromes including seizure disorders, anorexia, chronic pain, cancer, nausea and various infectious diseases that remain challenges for 21st century medicine. This plant is being cultivated in India since ancient times. Old texts (like Ayurveda) hail the plant as sacred and medicinal. It has travelled all over the world across different cultures for medicinal, recreational, religious and commercial purposes. Its use and cultivation decreased since the British Government prohibited its use in 1930s. The resin obtained from the plant contains over 60 cannabinoids and 400 different chemicals of which Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the major chemical with psychoactive properties. There are some natural receptors for THC found in human body called the 'endocannabinoid system' which helps in maintaining biological harmony in response to changes in the environment. This is also known as the gateway of drugs. Studies claim that good percentage of adult people abuses the drug and also a high prevalence rate of cannabis use is reported in India. This study review will focus on history of cannabis and its potential for the new scientific investigations as a therapeutic agent. The study will also focus on the need for the Indian government to encourage the researchers to explore the potential of cannabis as more countries in the world allow the use of medicinal cannabis.