Medicinal Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids

Summary

Cannabis research has moved beyond its use as an illegal recreational drug. Increasingly, focus is on its potential as a therapeutic substance, particularly in serious chronic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis.

This new title describes current research findings relating to the medicinal use of cannabis and cannabinoids. Topics covered include the pharmacology, formulation, safety and efficacy of cannabis as a therapeutic agent; growth and breeding of cannabis as a medicine; cannabis for neuropathic pain treatment and for multiple sclerosis; clinical studies and the development of cannabis-based medicine; and forensic and international control of cannabis.

Written by experts in the UK and USA, this is an essential reference for pharmacists, doctors, pharmacologists and all other healthcare professionals with an interest in cannabis-derived medicines for symptom relief of intractable diseases.

Contents

• 1. The History of Cannabis As a Medicine
• 2. Growth and Morphology of Medicinal Cannabis
• 3. The Breeding of Cannabis Cultivars for Pharmaceutical End-uses
• 4. The Evolution of Cannabis and Its Coevolution with the Human Cannabinoid Receptor
• 5. Receptors and Pharmacodynamics; Natural and Synthtic Cannabinoids and Endocannabinoids
• 6. Therapeutic Potential of Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Experimental Models of Multiple Sclerosis
• 7. Natural Cannabinoids: Interactions and Effects
• 8. Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics of Cannabinoids
• 9. Clinical Studies of Cannabis-based Medicine
• 10. Cannabis in the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain
• 11. Forensic Control of Cannabis
• 12. A Review of Cannabis and Driving Skills
• 13. International Control of Cannabis: Changing Attitudes
• 14. Developing a New Cannabis Based Medicine