The Medicinal Uses of Cannabis and Cannabinoids

Medicinal Uses of Cannabis and Cannabinoids begins with a succinct synopsis of cannabis history, both through the evolutionary biology and socio-cultural historical perspectives. The clear, principal focus of the historical section is medicinally oriented, documenting the countless medical practitioners and lawmen that have historically maintained the position of Cannabis as a medication. An accessible chart lies opposite the declaration of the 1964 isolation of THC that details the prolific path of the Cannabis plant from ancient Chinese and Turkish civilization to the dawn of the 21st century.

A comfortable segue connects the academically exhibited history to perhaps the most elaborate and well displayed section, a bioanalysis of the Cannabis Sativa family vividly presented by David Potter detailing potency distribution, growth and historical migration patterns, life cycle, and an impressively comprehensive, accurate anatomy from the roots to the resin. The age-old question of “Why does the plant produce cannabinoids and terpenes” is pithily addressed along with many other common, but previously inaccurately answered questions. Advanced grow-techniques detail lighting arrangements and physics, pest and pesticide employment, and an assay of the ‘outdoor v. indoor’ debate.

Etienne de Meijer contributes a brief section on breeding for pharmaceutical end uses. The pharmacological, biological, and chemical differences between the various cannabinoids (THC, CBN, CBD, CBG, CBC, THCV) are thoroughly outlined, before the techniques to breed for selective production are introduced. Self-fertilization, and phenotyping are also briefly discussed. The true details of Cannabinoid chemistry shine in the book’s 5th section, “Receptors and Pharmacodynamics”, a medicinally directed assay of Cannabinoid receptor activity of the utmost quality, as well as the 8th section, “Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics of Cannabinoids.”

John McPartland and Geoffrey Guy’s essay, “The evolution of Cannabis and coevolution with the cannabinoid receptor- a hypothesis”, provides perhaps the most stimulating and intelligent assay of evolution and neurobiology presented throughout the book.

Medicinal applications and clinical studies are scattered throughout the book, with an overview of potential therapeutic uses in the 7th section, “Natural Cannabinoids”. More detailed studies reside in the 6th, 9th, ad 10th sections of the book, culminating with perhaps the most well understood and researched application of Cannabinoid therapy, “Cannabis in the treatment of chronic pain.”

A section on Cannabinoids and their effects on driving skills is also present, with much of the information more currently up to date than any other popular publication on the medicinal uses of marijuana.

The final two sections address the complications of developing Cannabinoid medicine in a hostile political environment, first using the United States as a case study, before applying ideas of international policy and potential progressive steps, many of which are already in progress.

The sensible, academic, and current summation of Cannabis as a medication presented in this book is an absolute necessity for the dedicated marijuana researcher. The revised genetic and chemical properties of Cannabis that have undergone change in the past few years are thoroughly explained in the texts of this book, as are the most updated and detailed pictures and anatomical diagrams of marijuana. Though not for the entry-level self-educator, this comprehensive, professional text is a must have for the serious-smoker, patient, or investigator.

Reputation Comments on this post:

	Another excellent book review!
	great review