As of December 2014, medicinal cannabis is legal in 23 states where news and medical journals report success stories of people recovering from diverse medical conditions such as epilepsy, cancer and chronic pain.
In states where cannabis remains illegal, users and providers risk arrest and imprisonment. While the United States government has restricted cannabis medical research, advances have been made in Israel, Spain and Italy. One such breakthrough was the discovery of the endocannabinoid system in the brain and immune system. Endogenous cannabinoids are mimicked by THC and cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, thus accounting for its medicinal effects. Focusing on the biochemical properties, medical benefits and psychological effects of cannabinoids, this book provides an overview of anecdotal case reports, animal studies and clinical trials proposing cannabis for seizure disorder, cancer, chronic pain and other medical conditions.