Medical Cannabis
Frequently Asked Questions

Cannabis has been used as a medicine for thousands of years. Various medical uses were described 4000 years ago by the Chinese emperor Shen-nung in his medical book Pen-ts'ao Ching. Cannabis was mentioned as a medicine in the susruta of India before the 8th century A.D. Today, uses for medical cannabis include treatment of pain, nausea, lack of appetite, sleeping disorders, auto-immune diseases (MS) and glaucoma.

Medical cannabis refers to the use of the cannabis plant as a doctor-approved herbal treatment. Medical cannabis should be produced from plants cultivated under controlled conditions and should be meticulously inspected to ensure that it is clean and safe for medical consumption.

The active components of cannabis (termed cannabinoids) mimic the effects of chemicals (endocannabinoids) that naturally occur in the human brain and body. These chemicals act as 'signals' or 'messengers' that help control how the body functions. So, the use of cannabinoids to mimic these chemicals may affect different symptoms and how the patient experiences them.

Medical cannabis is only available when approved by a Doctor for people with specific medical conditions. Medical cannabis should be inspected for cleanliness and quality.

Recreational cannabis occurs in numerous forms and may be adulterated with a number of other substances. There is no standardization and users have no guarantee of potency or content.

Yes! On November 5, 1996, the people of California passed Proposition 215 legalizing medical cannabis. Through this Initiative Measure, Section 11362.5 was added to the Health & Safety Code. It is also known as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. The Act includes, in part:

"(A) To ensure that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes where the medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician who has determined that the person's health would benefit from the use of marijuana in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief; and

(B) To ensure that patients and their primary caregivers who obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes upon the recommendation of a physician are not subject to criminal prosecution or sanction."

In addition, Health & Safety Code section 11362.5(c) provides strong protection for physicians who choose to participate in the implementation of the Act. "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no physician in this state shall be punished, or denied any right or privilege, for having recommended marijuana to a patient for medical purposes."