Cited by 425Cannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchPain Management and Opioid UseComplementary and Alternative Medicine Studies

The P harmacologic and C linical E ffects of M edical C annabis

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Borgelt, Laura M., Franson, Kari L., Nussbaum, Abraham M., Wang, George S.·2013·Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy

Abstract

Cannabis, or marijuana, has been used for medicinal purposes for many years. Several types of cannabinoid medicines are available in the U nited S tates and C anada. Dronabinol (schedule III ), nabilone (schedule II ), and nabiximols (not U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved) are cannabis‐derived pharmaceuticals. Medical cannabis or medical marijuana, a leafy plant cultivated for the production of its leaves and flowering tops, is a schedule I drug, but patients obtain it through cannabis dispensaries and statewide programs. The effect that cannabinoid compounds have on the cannabinoid receptors ( CB 1 and CB 2 ) found in the brain can create varying pharmacologic responses based on formulation and patient characteristics. The cannabinoid Δ 9 ‐tetrahydrocannabinol has been determined to have the primary psychoactive effects; the effects of several other key cannabinoid compounds have yet to be fully elucidated. Dronabinol and nabilone are indicated for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy and of anorexia associated with weight loss in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. However, pain and muscle spasms are the most common reasons that medical cannabis is being recommended. Studies of medical cannabis show significant improvement in various types of pain and muscle spasticity. Reported adverse effects are typically not serious, with the most common being dizziness. Safety concerns regarding cannabis include the increased risk of developing schizophrenia with adolescent use, impairments in memory and cognition, accidental pediatric ingestions, and lack of safety packaging for medical cannabis formulations. This article will describe the pharmacology of cannabis, effects of various dosage formulations, therapeutics benefits and risks of cannabis for pain and muscle spasm, and safety concerns of medical cannabis use.

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [3]3. Extractum cannabis. In: The pharmacopoeia of the United States of America, 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co., 1851.
  2. [90]90. McGuigan M. Cannabinoids. Goldfrank's toxicologic emergen- cies. New York: McGraw Hill; 2011.

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Authors
Borgelt, L. M., Franson, K. L., Nussbaum, A. M., & Wang, G. S.
Affiliations
  • University of Colorado Anschutz (US)
  • Denver Health Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author
Borgelt, Laura M.
Venue
Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2013-02
Volume
33
Issue
2
Pages
195-209
ISSN
  • 0277-0008 (ISSN-L)
  • 1875-9114
OpenAlex
W2103111367
Cited by
423
References
83
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 44 · 2020: 43 · 2019: 49 · 2018: 37 · 2017: 47 · 2016: 42 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 35 · 2013: 8
FWCI
4.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Pharmacotherapy The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine › Pain Management and Opioid Use
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies
Keywords
medical cannabis, cannabinoids, dronabinol, nabilone, nabiximols, tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabinoid receptors, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, pain management, spasticity, adverse effects, schizophrenia risk, cannabis safety
MeSH terms
Animals, Cannabis, Clinical Trials as Topic, Humans, Phytotherapy, Pain, Spasm, Dronabinol, Treatment Outcome, Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1

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