MARIJUANA: A MEDICINE FOR

CANCER
Xylvia Hannah Joy H. Cariaga
Lydee Carmel G. Del Monte
Renzel Kaye L. Soria

Mrs. Marissa S. Mamayson

English 10
.

January 22, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter

Page

I.

Introduction3

II.

History of Marijuana..4

III.

The Effects of Marijuana6

Effects in Human Health6
Effects in Community....7

IV.

Conclusion..8

V.

Definition of Terms....8

Bibliography........10

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INTRODUCTION
Marijuana is the name given to the dried buds and leaves of
varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant, which can grow wild in
warm and tropical climates throughout the world and be cultivated
commercially. It goes by many names, including pot, grass,
cannabis, weed, hemp, hash, marihuana, ganja, and dozens of
others. Different compounds in marijuana have different actions in
the human body. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) seems to
cause the high reported by consumers of marijuana, and also can
help relieve pain and nausea, reduce inflammation, and can act as
an antioxidant. It can also lead to feelings of anxiety and paranoia.
Cannabidiol (CBD) can help treat seizures, can reduce anxiety and
paranoia, and can counteract the high caused by THC. 1
In Manila, Philippines, the 5,000-year-old relationship of
humans and weed, transitioning from medicinal to spiritual to
recreational use, may now be coming full circle. In the United
States, medicinal cannabis is already legal in 23 states and the
1 American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/physicalsideeffects/chemotherapye
ffects/marijuana-and-cancer

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District of Columbia. In the Philippines, a group of cannabis

advocates known as the Philippine Compassion for Cannabis
Society (PCCS), composed of patients and parents of children who
are in need of medical marijuana, is currently pushing for its
legalization and regulation in the country2
As we all know cancer is a deadly disease without a cure but some
people claims that marijuana can cure it. Marijuana can help not
only for cancer patient but for HIV victims and person with
Neurological Problems. But it is not advisable to use marijuana in
self medicating because it has harmful side effects if not properly
used.

History of Marijuana
In 900 BC, Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi references Marijuana as
a popular medicine. The Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi (ca. 2900 BC),
whom the Chinese credit with bringing civilization to China, seems
to have made reference to Ma, the Chinese word for Cannabis,
noting that Cannabis was very popular medicine that possessed
both yin and yang. According to the Bible, Christ was anointed
2 http://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/library-health-news/4224-medical-marijuana-eases-pain-incancer-patients-treats-epilepsy-other-ills

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with chrism, a cannabis-based oil that caused his spiritual visions.

The ancient recipe for this oil, recorded in Exodus, included over
9lb of flowering cannabis tops (known as kaneh-bosem in
Hebrew), extracted into a hin (about 11 pints) of olive oil, with a
variety of other herbs and spices. Residues of cannabis, moreover,
have been detected in vessels from Judea and Egypt in a context
indicating its medicinal, as well as visionary, use. In year 1970,
controlled substances act classifies Marijuana as a drug with "No
Accepted Medical Use". In 1980, Marinol, a synthetic version of
THC, and smoked Marijuana tested on cancer patients. The NCI
experiments showed that some patients responded well to Marinol.
Confronted with two different medical recommendations, the
government chose to dismiss the state studies and give Marinol the
green light. July 1991, 53% of oncologists surveyed say Cannabis
should be available by prescription. A random-sample, anonymous
survey of the members of the American Society of Clinical
Oncology (ASCO) was conducted in spring 1990 measuring the
attitudes and experiences of American oncologists concerning the
antiemetic use of marijuana in cancer chemotherapy patients. A
surprising proportion of respondents (432, 44%) said they had
recommended marijuana to at least one patient. Six hundred eight
respondents (63%) agreed with the statement affirming the efficacy
of marijuana in the treatment of emesis and 77 respondents (8%)
disagreed. Of the 599 respondents with opinions, 53% favored
making marijuana available by prescription. On Apr. 20, 2006,
the FDA releases a statement titled "Inter-Agency Advisory
Regarding Claims That Smoked Marijuana Is a Medicine." The

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FDA states that "there is currently sound evidence that smoked

marijuana is harmful. 3.
Effects of Marijuana

Effects to Human Health

Scientist and researches discovered the two most active
marijuana components these are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or
THC, and cannabidiol or CBD. The other components are still on
research. The THC can cause high but it can help through
relieving pain and nausea, reducing inflammation, and can act as
an antioxidant while the CBD is the counteract to the high effect
of THC. CBD also help treat seizures, can reduce anxiety and
paranoia. But the effects of marijuana may vary depending on how
marijuana is taken. People who have had emotional illnesses,
paranoia, or hallucinations may find their symptoms are worse
when taking cannabinoid drugs. As the research continues scientist
found that cannabinoids can kill cancer cell but at same time it can
protect normal cells.
Medical marijuana is used in different forms this are
Dronabinol, Nabilone and Nabiximol. Dronabinol (Marinol) is a
gelatin capsule containing THC that is approved by the FDA to
treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy as well
as weight loss and poor appetite in patients with AIDS. Nabilone
3 Procon.org

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(Cesamet) is a synthetic cannabinoid that acts much like THC. It

can be taken by mouth to treat nausea and vomiting caused by
cancer chemotherapy when other drugs have not worked.
Nabiximols, a mouth spray made up of a whole-plant extract with
THC and CBD in an almost one to one mix Researches discovered
that dronabinol can be helpful for reducing nausea and vomiting
caused by chemotherapy. Nabiximols helps people with cancer
pain that is unrelieved by strong pain medicines but it is still on
research. 4
Marijuanas other form is the smoked marijuana where they replace
the tabacco in the cigarettes and place that weeds or in improvised
pipes. It has tar that is usually found in tabacco.
These are other effects of cannabinoid in cancer:
Anti-inflammatory activity.
Blocking cell growth.
Preventing the growth of blood vessels that supply tumors.
Antiviral activity.
5
Relieving muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis
Effects on the Community
Because of the abusive use of marijuana criminality record
increases. Out of school youth teenagers are usually using it. That
4 American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/physicalsideeffects/chemotherapyeffects/mariju
ana-and-cancer

http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/cannabis-pdq/#link/_7

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is why Marijuana is prohibited in the Philippines. The adults had

the guts on doing crimes
Conclusion
Through researches, cannabinoid or commonly known as
marijuana is proven to cure cancer. It inhibits tumor growth by
causing cell death, blocking cell growth, and blocking the
development of blood vessels needed by tumors to grow.
Cannabiniods are able to kill cancer cells while protecting the
normal cells. But every advantages there is an opposite reaction.
Abusive use of Marijuana can cause high, increase heart rate,
decrease blood pressure (especially when standing up), dizziness
or lightheadedness, and fainting. In the Philippines, the use of
marijuana is prohibited. Medical experts prescription is needed.
Do not self medicate.

Definition of Terms

1.

2.
3.
4.
5.

Cannabinoids- other term for marijuana, name given to the

dried buds and leaves of varieties of the Cannabis sativa
plant.
THC- tetrahydrocannabinol
CBD- cannabidiol
Marinol- a synthetic version of THC
Seizure- a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain

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6.
7.
8.

9.

10.

Inhibits- hinder, restrain or prevent

Spasms- a sudden involuntary muscular contraction or
convulsive movement
High- the feeling that drug users want to get when they
take drugs. There are many types of highs, including a
very happy or spacey feeling or a feeling that someone has
special powers, such as the ability to fly or to see into the
future.
Cancer- is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell
growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts
of the body.
Hin- A unit of liquid measure used by the ancient
Hebrews, equal to about five liters.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/physical
sideeffects/chemotherapyeffects/marijuana-and-cancer
CANCER.GOV
http://www.cancer.gov/aboutcancer/treatment/cam/patient/cannabis-pdq/#link/_7
PROCON.ORG
http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.timeline.php?
timelineID=000026
DOST
http://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/library-healthnews/4224-medical-marijuana-eases-pain-in-cancer-patients-treatsepilepsy-other-ills