Is addiction an illness/disease?
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Medicinal use of Cannabis
As of 2014 23 US states and the District of Columbia (Washington D.C), legalised the use of medicinal Marijuana to varying degrees. Here is a quick summary of the legalisations.
(Source: http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881)
(Source: http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881)
Cannabis & Cannabinoids the uses:
When used for medicinal purposes many studies have pointed to Cannabis being effective in stimulating appetite (e.g AIDS and cancer patients) , preventing nausea, providing pain relief, reduce the number of seizures in epileptic patients, in studies of rats the drug has been successful in preventing memory problems and Alzheimer's-like brain changes.
These are just some of the uses of Cannabis & Cannabinoids, additional research in to the cases will need to be done for further information. See sources and further reading below for information.
Sources/additional reading:
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/07/health/gallery/uses-for-medical-marijuana/
http://www.businessinsider.com/health-benefits-of-medical-marijuana-2014-4?op=1
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/drugs-alcohol/5-common-uses-of-medical-cannabis.htm#page=1
http://www.ibtimes.com/%E2%80%98medical%E2%80%99-marijuana-10-health-benefits-legitimize-legalization-742456
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/patient/page2
When used for medicinal purposes many studies have pointed to Cannabis being effective in stimulating appetite (e.g AIDS and cancer patients) , preventing nausea, providing pain relief, reduce the number of seizures in epileptic patients, in studies of rats the drug has been successful in preventing memory problems and Alzheimer's-like brain changes.
These are just some of the uses of Cannabis & Cannabinoids, additional research in to the cases will need to be done for further information. See sources and further reading below for information.
Sources/additional reading:
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/07/health/gallery/uses-for-medical-marijuana/
http://www.businessinsider.com/health-benefits-of-medical-marijuana-2014-4?op=1
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/drugs-alcohol/5-common-uses-of-medical-cannabis.htm#page=1
http://www.ibtimes.com/%E2%80%98medical%E2%80%99-marijuana-10-health-benefits-legitimize-legalization-742456
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/patient/page2
Know the UK drug penalties for illegal substances
What is Sativex?
"Sativex was the first cannabis-based medicine to be licensed in the UK. It is licensed for use in MS-related spasticity (muscle stiffness) when people have found that other medicines have not worked well or found their side effects intolerable." (MStrust.org, 2014).
Sativex is an oral based medicine that will only be prescribed to sufferers of MS related conditions and only in the (somewhat) rare case that the normally prescribed medication is inadequate or causes "intolerable relief" (NHS, 'Sativex', 2010).
It seems as though the prescription of Sativex is quite controlled. A patient may only be prescribed the medicine in the above circumstance and if it has been suggested by a specialist (to a Dr). If it is found that Sativex is unsuccessful in treating a patients illness, then the treatment will be stopped.
Sativex vs Cannabis:
Cannabis is often considered a 'street' drug, which is considered to have no medicinal value under UK law and is classified as a type B drug. The consequences of the possession or distribution of a type B drug is as follows: possession - up to 5 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine, distribution/production: up to 14 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
On the other hand, although Sativex is also a class B drug it can be legally possessed "under a prescription issued by a qualified health professional.". However, to pass on Sativex to a person who is not "lawfully entitled to possess the drug, amounts to unlawful supply of a controlled substance." and is be punishable under the law (see class B punishments above). (MStrust.org 2014)
Sources/Further Reading:
http://www.nhs.uk/ipgmedia/national/multiple%20sclerosis%20trust/assets/sativex.pdf
http://www.mstrust.org.uk/information/publications/factsheets/sativex.jsp#legal
https://www.gov.uk/penalties-drug-possession-dealing
Sativex is an oral based medicine that will only be prescribed to sufferers of MS related conditions and only in the (somewhat) rare case that the normally prescribed medication is inadequate or causes "intolerable relief" (NHS, 'Sativex', 2010).
It seems as though the prescription of Sativex is quite controlled. A patient may only be prescribed the medicine in the above circumstance and if it has been suggested by a specialist (to a Dr). If it is found that Sativex is unsuccessful in treating a patients illness, then the treatment will be stopped.
Sativex vs Cannabis:
Cannabis is often considered a 'street' drug, which is considered to have no medicinal value under UK law and is classified as a type B drug. The consequences of the possession or distribution of a type B drug is as follows: possession - up to 5 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine, distribution/production: up to 14 years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
On the other hand, although Sativex is also a class B drug it can be legally possessed "under a prescription issued by a qualified health professional.". However, to pass on Sativex to a person who is not "lawfully entitled to possess the drug, amounts to unlawful supply of a controlled substance." and is be punishable under the law (see class B punishments above). (MStrust.org 2014)
Sources/Further Reading:
http://www.nhs.uk/ipgmedia/national/multiple%20sclerosis%20trust/assets/sativex.pdf
http://www.mstrust.org.uk/information/publications/factsheets/sativex.jsp#legal
https://www.gov.uk/penalties-drug-possession-dealing
What are legal highs?
Legal highs are drugs which produce similar effects to illegal substances (e.g Cannabis or Ecstasy), however they are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The legal highs themselves cannot be sold for human consumption so are often sold as bath salts, plant food or other products to get around the law. Because the drugs are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, very little is known about them.
Scientists have over the last few years been testing the chemical makeup and effects of legal highs and it has resulted in the banning of some of these drugs. For example previous legal highs which have been banned include 'Meow-Meow', Benzo Fury and NBOMe.
The problem with legal highs centres around the fact that the chemical makeup of the drugs are often unknown and could therefore be extremely dangerous to users. In some cases legal highs have often been found to contain a banned substance within their makeup (which obviously, makes them illegal).
The market of legal highs is ever growing and substances are coming in to the public forum quicker than the government can ban them.
Scientists have over the last few years been testing the chemical makeup and effects of legal highs and it has resulted in the banning of some of these drugs. For example previous legal highs which have been banned include 'Meow-Meow', Benzo Fury and NBOMe.
The problem with legal highs centres around the fact that the chemical makeup of the drugs are often unknown and could therefore be extremely dangerous to users. In some cases legal highs have often been found to contain a banned substance within their makeup (which obviously, makes them illegal).
The market of legal highs is ever growing and substances are coming in to the public forum quicker than the government can ban them.