Marihuana and Medicine

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxii

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2. Introduction: Marihuana and Medicine—A Historical Review

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. A Brief History of Four Millennia (B.C. 2000—A.D. 1974)

      • Hélène Peters, Gabriel G. Nahas

      Pages 3-7

   3. The Helsinki Symposium (1975)

      • Gabriel G. Nahas, Harris Rosenkrantz, W. D. M. Paton

      Pages 9-12

   4. The Reims Symposium (1978)

      • Gabriel G. Nahas, D. J. Harvey, R. Bourdon, J.-C. Jardillier, H. Tuchmann-Duplessis, W. D. M. Paton

      Pages 13-24

   5. Conflicting Reports on Marihuana and Health (1981–1982)

      • A. S. Relman

      Pages 25-31

   6. The Louisville Symposium of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (1982)

      • Leo E. Hollister

      Pages 33-44

   7. The Oxford Symposium “Marihuana ’84”

      • David J. Harvey, Gabriel G. Nahas, J. R. Trounce, W. D. M. Paton

      Pages 45-52

   8. The Paris Symposium of the French “National Academie de Medicine” (1992)

      • Jacques Chirac, Henri Baruk, Paul Lechat, Henri Baylon

      Pages 53-57

   9. The 1997 Medical Controversy over the Legalization of Marihuana for Medicine

      • Jerome P. Kassirer, Gabriel G. Nahas, Kenneth Sutin, W. Manger, G. Hyman

      Pages 59-62

3. Chemistry and Pharmacokinetics

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 63-63

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   2. Cannabinoid Geometry and Biological Activity

      • Raphael Mechoulam, W. A. Devane, R. Glaser

      Pages 65-90

   3. Absorption, Distribution, and Biotransformation of the Cannabinoids

      • David J. Harvey

      Pages 91-103

   4. Pharmacokinetics of THC in Inhaled and Oral Preparations

      • Marilyn Huestis

      Pages 105-116

   5. Pharmacokinetics and Mechanisms of Action of Analgesics in Clinical Pain

      • John E. Stambaugh

      Pages 117-121

   6. Δ9-THC Hemisuccinate in Suppository Form as an Alternative to Oral and Smoked THC

      • Larry A. Walker, Ernest C. Harland, Allyson M. Best, Mahmoud A. ElSohly

      Pages 123-135

   7. Composition and Stability of a Standard Marihuana Cigarette

      • Brian F. Thomas, Victor L. Parker, Lillian W. Caddell, Larry V. Jones, Surinder K. Sabharwal, Andy I. McDaniel et al.

      Pages 137-143

   8. Study Design Considerations in Clinical Trials with Marihuana

      • Reese T. Jones

      Pages 145-151

4. Biochemistry and Molecular Mechanisms

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 153-153

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   2. Effects of THC on Brain and Social Organization of Ants

      • Peter Waser

      Pages 155-161

Leading physicians and scientists from around the world critically examine the pharmacological and molecular basis of the therapeutic properties of marihuana and its active ingredient, THC. They detail the broad array of marihuana's effects on brain function, the immune system, male and female reproductive functions, and cardiac and pulmonary functions, as well as evaluate its clinical applications in psychiatry, glaucoma, pain management, cancer chemotherapy, and AIDS treatment. Their studies indicate that marihuana persistently impairs the brain and reproductive function, and that marihuana smoke is more toxic and damaging to the lung than tobacco smoke. Marihuana and Medicine's reports of the latest findings on the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of marihuana and of its clinical manifestations will be essential reading for physicians, psychiatrists, pharmacologists, health-care professionals, policy makers, public health officials, and attorneys.

• AIDS
• cannabinoid
• cocaine
• health
• marijuana

"This is a comprehensive new book covering the pharmacological, metabolic, and therapeutic properties of marijuana. Written and edited by researchers in the field, this is a valuable contribution to the field. . .Topics covered include an historical review, chemistry and pharmacokinetics, biochemistry and molecular mechanisms, pharmacology and physiopathology, reproductive function, treatment of pain, glaucoma, effects on the nervous system, marijuana and psychiatry, AIDS management, marijuana and medicine, public health, and public policy. . .This is a valuable book with a focus on the molecular and clinical aspects
of marijuana."-Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal

"...the information is well presented, as one would expect from information provided in a formal presentation, and much of the information remains relevant to any reader regardless of initial knowledge base...extremely well written and attempt to present information about the use and effects of cannabis without involving emotion in the debate..."-Drug and Alcohol Review

• Department of Anesthesiology, New York University School of Medicine, USA

  Gabriel G. Nahas, Kenneth M. Sutin

• Department of Biochemistry, Oxford University, USA

  David Harvey

• Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uppsala, Sweden

  Stig Agurell

• NYU School of Medicine, USA

  Nicholas Pace, Robert Cancro

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