Australia is pushing legislation that would legalize the licensed marijuana growth for medical research. However, this legislation doesn’t include recreational use of marijuana, but nevertheless it is a significant step in legalizing cannabis.
The legislation would thus amend half-century-old Australian drug regulations to put in place a licensing program for marijuana growth.
The cannabis would then be used in medical-scientific research, including in research of palliative care for people with chronic painful conditions.
However, recreational use of marijuana will remain illegal across the country, according to Australian Health Minister Sussan Ley.
“This product is not one that you smoke, it’s not something that might be out there illegally,” he said.
Nevertheless, legalizing marijuana growth for medical research purposes presents a significant step toward legalizing marijuana. According to numerous studies, THC and CBD, the two main cannabinoids extracted from marijuana, are currently of particular medical interest.
THC gives you the appetite boost and reduces nausea, while CBD doesn’t affect the mind nor behavior of humans. THC-based drugs have already been approved by the FDA, as such drugs also reduce pain and inflammation.
CBD, meanwhile, also reduces pain and inflammation, as well as controls epileptic seizures and, according to some studies, even treats mental illnesses and addictions.
According to recent animal studies, marijuana could help kill certain cancer cells and slow their growth. The study was carried out on mice and it revealed that treatment with THC and CBD, used along with radiation, boosted the cancer-killing properties of radiation.
As suspected by scientists, the following diseases and conditions could also be treated with marijuana:
- HIV/AIDS
- Alzheimer’s disease;
- autoimmune diseases – diseases associated with weakened immune system;
- multiple sclerosis (MS);
- inflammation;
- pain;
- seizures;
- mental
