1. Cannabis Cures Cancer:
“Cannabis cures cancer” is a sort of internet talking point that gets passed around quite often, but not many people realize the extent of this claim. Here are just a FEW specific examples that provide support to the claim that cannabis can cure cancer:
a. Brain Cancer – A study published in the British Journal of Cancer, conducted by the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Complutense University in Madrid, this study determined that Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids inhibit tumor growth. They were responsible for the first clinical study aimed at assessing cannabinoid antitumoral action. Cannabinoid delivery was safe and was achieved with zero psychoactive effects. THC was found to decrease tumour cells in two out of the nine patients.
b. Breast Cancer – A study published in the US National Library of Medicine, conducted by the California Pacific Medical Center determined that cannabidiol (CBD) inhibits human breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion. They also demonstrated that CBD significantly reduces tumor mass.
c. Lung Cancer – A study published in the journal Oncogene, by Harvard Medical Schools Experimental Medicine Department determined that THC inhibits epithelial growth factor induced lung cancer cell migration and more. They go on to state that THC should be explored as novel therapeutic molecules in controlling the growth and metastasis of certain lung cancers.
http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v95/n2/abs/6603236a.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20859676
http://www.nature.com/onc/journal/v27/n3/abs/1210641a.html
2. Not All Cannabis Gets You Stoned:
There are some strains of cannabis that contain very little amounts THC, the chemical compound that gets you high. They instead have high amounts of CBC (cannabidiol) which has amazing medicinal benefits that can treat pain, nausea, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and more. Some marijuana you get that isn’t really potent might just be low in THC and high in CBC, meaning that you will experience complete nervous system relaxation without getting stoned.
There are some people who are opposed to using marijuana even for medicinal reasons, not even realizing that all of the reasons why they resist marijuana are non-existence in low THC strains.
3. It Used to be illegal to NOT Grow Marijuana:
In 1619 the Virginia Assembly passed legislation requiring every farmer to grow hemp. Hemp was allowed to be exchanged as legal tender in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland.
Domestic production flourished until after the Civil War, when imports and other domestic materials replaced hemp for many purposes. In the late nineteenth century, marijuana became a popular ingredient in many medicinal products and was sold openly in public pharmacies. It was also used for rope and clothing, but most importantly for sails.
Hemp arrived in Colonial America with the Puritans in the form of seed for planting and as fiber in the lines, sails and caulking of the Mayflower. British sailing vessels were never without a store of hemp seed, and Britain’s colonies were compelled by law to grow hemp.
Hemp was the fiber of choice for maritime uses because of its natural decay resistance and its adaptability to cultivation. Each warship and merchant vessel required miles of hempen line and tons of hempen canvas, which meant the Crown’s hunger for the commodity was great. Ship captains were ordered to disseminate hemp seed widely to provide fiber wherever repairs might be needed in distant lands. In our day and age, we can also use hemp for things like paper, skin and beauty products, plastic replacements, oil, wax, and even fuel.