Dr M Ahmed Abdullah
ON a rainy Tuesday, 01 September 2020 the Minister for Science and Technology of Pakistan announced that the government has approved giving licenses for research on the medicinal uses of cannabis and its derivatives. This was subsequently followed by jokes and ridicule on social and mass media. Everyone had a good laugh and people who understand little about the potential of any research, those who have never indulged in the painstaking process of research decided to pass verdicts and judgments on concepts they have no understanding of. Unfortunately this did not come as a surprise, what else would one expect from people who enjoy rape jokes and generalize humour to all wife and husband relationships. Coming back to the topic, cannabis has existed since antiquity and the history of cannabis and its use by people dates back to at least the third millennium BC in written history, and probably further back by archaeological and anthropological data. For millennia, the plant has been valued for its use for fibre and rope, as food and medication, and for its psychoactive properties for religious and recreational use.
There are two main varieties of the plant Cannabis indica; which can be seen growing spontaneously in many parts of Pakistan during the monsoon season and Cannabis sativa which is cultivated and is mostly used for recreational purposes. The plant is rich in chemicals that like many other drugs have the ability to cause both desired and adverse effects. It is important to understand that a drug is any chemical that enters the body through various routes and once inside, causes changes in the chemical functions of the body, so by this definition the cup of coffee or tea that you just had is also a drug.
The cannabis plant has two main active ingredients which alter the human body chemistry, namely; THC (Tetra Hydro Cannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol). The THC component is responsible for the psychoactive effects of the plant and is mostly sought after for recreational uses, while the CBD part has medicinal uses. The component is being studied for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-convulsant, anti-emetic, anti-depressant, anti-tumoral and anti-psychotic effects around the world. It is being used in the forms of oils, lotions, tablets, oral drops and has shown promising results in treating conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinsonism, Cancers, Clinical Depression, Anxiety disorders and even skin conditions.
Many countries like Canada and Netherlands have even decriminalized the recreational use of the plant. In times of change and progress we need to identify the subjects of our mockery and humour. Unwarranted criticism only misguides the debate into useless directions, it may be a great subject for creating viral media content, but discussing concepts without having background knowledge is easy and entertaining. I would also like to point out here that we continuously stereotype the people who suffer from substance addictions, we criticize them, socially isolate them and discriminate against them on all levels. We need to focus on a more holistic approach towards these people.
—The writer is Assistant Professor Public Health, Islamabad Medical and Dental College.
