Cannabinoids: In search for an explanation

Abstract

Although cannabis has been used for thousands of years for medical and recreational purposes, the debate on its introduction as a medical product has only recently begun. That discussion was preceded by the discovery and explanation of the active components in cannabis on the one hand, and the discovery of the endocannabinoid system in mammals on the other. Numerous studies over the past thirty years have focused on their further examination, and scarce clinical studies show the beneficial effects of cannabis on the wide spectrum of diseases. The question is why, thirty years after the discovery of the endocannabinoid system and the CB1 and CB2 receptors, as well as the positive results in cannabis administration in a wide range of diseases, extensive clinical studies and relevant explanations are still lacking. On the other hand, one may wonder if something important is being denied to patients who might find cannabis use beneficial? Therefore, it is important to analyze several different problems. What is the subject of the dispute, and which cannabis derivatives are allowed? Why do we not have relevant clinical studies, that is, all of those are of a very limited extent? How are clinical studies conducted? To whom are these derivatives intended and are there ethical dilemmas regarding their use?