“Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9-THC) is the primary psychoactive ingredient [in marijuana]; depending on the particular plant, either THC or cannabidiol is the most abundant cannabinoid in marijuana.”
http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000637
“Single-dose Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of Oral Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis… Cannabinoids exert neuroprotective and symptomatic effects in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)…”
“The first study to use a cannabis-based medicine (CBM) for treating rheumatoid arthritis has found that it has a significant effect on easing pain and on suppressing the disease”
“Conclusions. In the first ever controlled trial of a CBM in RA, a significant analgesic effect was observed and disease activity was significantly suppressed following Sativex treatment.”
http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/45/1/50.abstract
“Cell-based experiments or in vivo animal testing suggest that regulation of the endocannabinoid circuitry can impact almost every major function associated with the immune system. These studies were assisted by the development of numerous novel molecules that exert their biological effects through the endocannabinoid system. Several of these compounds were tested for their effects on immune function, and the results suggest therapeutic opportunities for a variety of inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, allergic asthma, and autoimmune diabetes through modulation of the endocannabinoid system.”
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ben/ctmc/2006/00000006/00000013/art00008
“Medical science has not yet found a cure, but it is barbaric to deny us access to one substance that has proved to ameliorate our suffering.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/opinion/a-judges-plea-for-medical-marijuana.html?_r=1
“With its strong inhibitory abilities, the study said, THC “may provide an improved therapeutic for Alzheimer’s disease” that would treat “both the symptoms and progression” of the disease.”
“Our results indicate that cannabinoid receptors are important in the pathology of AD and that cannabinoids succeed in preventing the neurodegenerative process occurring in the disease.”
“the investigators confirmed that cannabinoids counteracted the activation of microglia and thus reduced inflammation. These findings that cannabinoids work both to prevent inflammation and to protect the brain may set the stage for their use as a therapeutic approach for Alzheimer’s disease, de Ceballos said.”
A study out of the University of California shows that smoking marijuana can reduce the pain as well as muscle contractions and tightness of those living with multiple sclerosis.