Everyone who has been relentlessly fighting for marijuana to be legalized in US can celebrate. Following numerous studies, scientists from the National Cancer Institute have confirmed that cannabis does kill cancer cells.
The National Cancer Institute (NIC), one of the many arms of the US Department of Health, has confirmed on its website that “cannabis and cannabinoids may have benefits in treating the symptoms of cancer or the side effects of cancer therapies” and also that “cannabis has been shown to kill cancer cells in the laboratory.”
The website states that cannabis can be consumed in the form of baked products or herbal drinks, as well as sprayed under the tongue.
In addition to this, the NIC website also records that “cannabis and cannabinoids have been studied in the laboratory and the clinic for relief of pain, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, and loss of appetite.”
The scientists however strongly stress upon the fact that by far, cannabis has only shown these positive effects on mice, and the drugs in no way is ready to be administered to humans in their fight against cancer. The Cancer Research points out that there isn’t enough evidence that can strongly support the use of cannabis as an effective treatment for cancer.
According to the US federal law, the consumption, sale, and possession of cannabis is illegal throughout the country. However, several states such as Colorado, Oregon, Alaska, Washington, and the District of Columbia have entirely legalised medical and recreational marijuana.
Now, the hope has been kindled for a nationwide legalization. If further tests do reveal that cannabis is in fact safe for human consumption, the US may proceed to legalise it across the country and take a giant leap forwards in battling the deadly disease.
Below is the actual information provided directly from the NIH’s website…
Cannabis and Cannabinoids–for health professionals (PDQ®)
Overview
This complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) information summary provides an overview of the use of Cannabis and its components as a treatment for people with cancer -related symptoms caused by the disease itself or its treatment.
This summary contains the following key information:
- Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.
- By federal law, the possession of Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is illegal in the United States; however, a growing number of states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws to legalize its medical use.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved Cannabis as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition.
- Chemical components of Cannabis, called cannabinoids, activate specific receptors found throughout the body to produce pharmacologic effects, particularly in the central nervous system and the immune system.
- Commercially available cannabinoids, such as dronabinol and nabilone, are approved drugs for the treatment of cancer-related side effects.
- Cannabinoids may have benefits in the treatment of cancer-related side effects.
Many of the medical and scientific terms used in this summary are hypertext linked (at first use in each section) to the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, which is oriented toward nonexperts. When a linked term is clicked, a definition will appear in a separate window.
Reference citations in some PDQ CAM information summaries may include links to external Web sites that are operated by individuals or organizations for the purpose of marketing or advocating the use of specific treatments or products. These reference citations are included for informational purposes only. Their inclusion should not be viewed as an endorsement of the content of the Web sites, or of any treatment or product, by the PDQ Cancer CAM Editorial Board or the National Cancer Institute.
- Updated: August 7, 2015
(National Cancer Institute Confirms Cannabis Kills Cancer – Weed Finder™ News | Article Credit: National Cancer Institute)