Science News - June 19, 2010

The secrets of how THC worked in the body lay hidden until the late 1980s, when researchers working with rats found that the compound binds to a protein that pops up on the surface of nerve cells. Further tests showed that THC also hooks up with another protein found elsewhere in the body. These receptor proteins were dubbed CB1 and CB2.

A bigger revelation came in 1992: Mammals make their own compound that binds to, and switches on, the CB1 receptor. Scientists named the compound anandamide. Researchers soon found its counterpart that binds mainly to the CB2 receptor, calling that one 2AG, for 2-arachidonyl glycerol. The body routinely makes these compounds, called endocannabinoids, and sends them into action as needed.

“At that point, this became a very, very
respectable field,” says Mechoulam,
now at Hebrew University of Jerusa-
lem, who along with Pertwee and oth-
ers reported the anandamide discovery
in Science. “THC just mimics the effects
of these compounds in our bodies,”
Mechoulam says. Although the recep-
tors are abundant, anandamide and
2AG are short-acting compounds, so
their effects are fleeting.

From a biological
standpoint,
smoking pot to
get high is like
starting up a
semitruck just to
listen to the radio.
There’s a lot more
going on.

Beyond the pain Today smoked cannabis is a sanctioned self-treatment for verifiable medical conditions in 14 U.S. states, Canada, the Netherlands and Israel, among other places. It usually requires a doctor’s recommendation and some paperwork.

People smoke the drug to alleviate pain, sleep easier and deal with nausea, lack of appetite and mood disorders such as anxiety, stress and depression. Patients not wanting to smoke cannabis can seek out prescriptions for FDA-approved capsules containing cannabis

Sanctioned smoking though smoked cannabis has not been approved by the food and Drug administration, its use for medical purposes has been sanctioned by law in 14 states (shown in green, year given). Different states apply their own restrictions, some of which are highlighted.

Washington, 1998

washington allows marijuana’s use for the broadest range of ailments, including multiple sclerosis, crohn’s disease and anorexia. but in most cases the drug can be used only if the condition is resistant to conventional medical therapy.

Montana, 2004 each state places its own limits on the quantity of marijuana a patient can possess. montana allows 1 ounce of dry marijuana and no more than six plants.

Michigan, 2008 while most states sanctioning medical marijuana allow for its use in treating cancer, glaucoma, hiv-aiDs, chronic pain and severe nausea, michigan adds hepatitis c, alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis to the list.

Maine, 1999 while allowing medicinal marijuana’s use for glaucoma and muscle spasms, maine limits its use for other conditions, including wasting syndrome, nausea and appetite loss, to symptoms related specifically to hiv-aiDs and cancer.

kelly ann mccann; source: D.e. hoffmann anD e. weber/nejm 2010

Oregon, 1998

Nevada, 2000

California, 1996 the first state to pass a medical marijuana law is the only state in which dis-pensaries are established by law. it is also the only state to permit medical marijuana use for arthritis and migraines.

Alaska, 1998

Vermont, 2004

Rhode Island, 2006

New Jersey, 2010 new jersey allows marijuana use for often-permit-ted conditions —cancer and hiv-aiDs — and adds permission for patients in hospice care or those facing terminal illness.