The endogenous cannabinoid system of the human body, often referred to as the endocannabinoid system governs physiological functions in all parts of the body including the nervous and immune systems, all of the body's organs, and much more. The human body and brain contain a complex system of cannabinoid receptors which are stimulated by endocannabinoids naturally produced by the human body. Plant substances which stimulate these receptors are phytocannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and also cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN). This endocannabinoid system performs a multitude of functions within the body by regulating with the goal of homeostasis: the maintainance of stable internal environment if and when the external environment changes.

THC molecule

The bodies use of these endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids to promote homeostasis within and between cells, in almost every part and function of the body, is the reason why cannabis/marijuana can be used to treat a multitude of illnesses and ailments from the physical to the pyschological.

Take this example from the article Introduction to the Endocannabinoid System "...autophagy, a process in which a cell sequesters part of its contents to be self-digested and recycled, is mediated by the cannabinoid system. While this process keeps normal cells alive, allowing them to maintain a balance between the synthesis, degradation, and subsequent recycling of cellular products, it has a deadly effect on malignant tumor cells, causing them to consume themselves in a programmed cellular suicide. The death of cancer cells, of course, promotes homeostasis and survival at the level of the entire organism." (Norml.org) This amazing discovery may allow all sorts of cancers to be treated and cured using phytocannabinoids some day in the near future.

Currently, many medical journals and organizations have documented evidence of a wide number of ailments and illnesses which can be treated using phytocannabinoids and/or have symptoms be relieved by treatment with phytocannabinoids (medical marijuana). Examples are: ADD/ADHD, Alheimer's, anxiety, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, diabetes, epilepsy, fybromalgia, GI disorders, glaucoma, Hepatitus C, HIV, Huntington's disease, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, arthritis, sleep apnea, and more.

"Marijuana has been a main ingredient in natural remedies for thousands of years. Marijuana products were used in China and India as early as 3000 B.C. to treat a variety of ills - from easing the pain of childbirth to relieving asthma and epilepsy, even improving appetite and disposition... In the United States, as many as 30 marijuana-based medicines were distributed as recently as 1937, when the Marijuana Tax Act closed the door on further medical use of the drug." (DoItNow.org)

photo courtesy Associated Press

There is clearly overwhelming evidence for the benefits of marijuana as medicine. In the United States, marijuana is classified under the federal Controlled Substance Act of 1970 as a Schedule I controlled substance which prohibits possessing or using marijuana for any purpose. This classification is reserved for substances known to have no medical benefits. This obvious hypocrisy between the legal classification and the factual scientific evidence needs to be resolved for citizens to have open and legal access to what may be the most important medicinal plant of historical and modern times.
~DAZEY