by Kamryn Adams

Created on: September 17, 2009   Last Updated: September 23, 2009

The National Pain Foundation says that marijuana is an effective treatment for chronic pain. The American Public Health Association agrees. A study conducted by Dr. Janet Joy, et al concludes that cannabinoids directly interfere with pain signaling in the nervous system. What are cannabinoids? In the 1990s researchers found the cannabinoid receptor system. These receptors are located in the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system throughout the body. These receptors work in the same way opiate receptors work to relieve pain with traditional pain medications. When these receptors are blocked through contact with drug molecules they are able to stop the pain process in the body. Think of it like covering a "pain button". In order for you to feel pain the body must push the "pain button" or receptor. If there is something sitting on top of the button-a drug molecule, the body is unable to push it. Therefore, unable to make the body feel pain.

The controversy arises within the science of the treatment. It is the cannabinoid molecule that can block the receptor. The cannabis plant, marijuana, is closely related to the cannabinoid structure giving marijuana some analgesic properties. There have been patients with different types of pain that claim relief from Marijuana use. The most common pain sufferers were those with neuropathic pain-pain that generates in the nervous system like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Diabetic Neuropathy. Marijuana is not thought to work in inflammatory pain like arthritis - though some argue without much scientific evidence that it can work in this area. However, it is not so much the cannabis (marijuana) plant as it is the cannabinoid properties of the plant. For example, alcohol is a known diuretic causing fluid release through frequent urination, but would we use it to treat cardiac conditions that require a diuretic treatment. This is the questions many ask regarding marijuana medical use.

Cannabinoids come from three different sources: the body, the marijuana plant, and synthetically made in the laboratory. The challenge is extracting these into an actual medicine that can be used pharmaceutically. The molecules will not dissolve in water-of which our bodies are made. This is a road block in developing treatment with cannabinoid properties. So, the argument to allow the medical use of marijuana plants ensues. Though appearing to be a logical solution, it is not as simple as the issue may seem. Cannabinoids are not very

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