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Zach Harris at maryjane.com
Rich Homie Quan Arrested for Felony Cannabis Possession
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The latter two are the only endocannabinoids currently measurable in serum plasma. These molecules dock with a wide variety of cannabinoid receptors, the two most common ones being CB1 and CB2. The difference between the two receptors is that CB1 receptors are found mostly in the CNS, whereas the more recently discovered CB2 receptors are located peripherally often on mast cells and other immune cells. This peripheral expression of CB2 receptors makes for potentially interesting cases of use of cannabinoids in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. CB1 receptors are found highly concentrated in the brain, especially in areas that control movement, cognition and higher functions of thought and are the reason for marijuana’s psychoactive effects. In addition, cannabinoids may affect the user’s memory, mood, sleep, appetite and pain sensation. Interestingly, although highly concentrated in the brain, CB1 receptors are not found much in the brainstem, which explains the lack of respiratory depression and coma that is often seen with other drugs of abuse. To date there is no documented evidence of anyone dying from an overdose of cannabis. In addition to health benefits, this provides some rationale for the widespread use of cannabis as purely a recreational pastime.
The great French author Victor Hugo said “All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come”. Although marijuana is still classified as a schedule I drug by the Federal government, the importance of cannabinoids as viable and safe therapeutic molecules can no longer be swept under the rug. To date 29 states and the District of Columbia allow the use of medical marijuana, and 8 states allow full recreational use4. In addition, 14 states have laws specifically about the use of cannabidiol CBD), and the 2014 Agricultural Act Section 7606 legitimizes the growth of industrial hemp for research purposes. These developments are based on overwhelming evidence from anecdotal and peer-reviewed reports about the medical benefits of cannabis. Pharmaceutical companies have seized on the popularity of cannabis as therapy to develop both natural and synthetic derivatives that are marketed to dispensaries and other approved institutions. To date at least 10 compounds based on the structure of cannabinoids are either approved by the FDA or are in clinical trials (4). Wall street is also a part of these developments. A list of the top 10 marijuana companies is available for those who are inclined to invest in this emerging industry (5).