Cannabis has been humankind's friend and foe for millennia. Although a lot of recent press coverage has
focused on the abuses associated with cannabis, the plant has been an essential source of medicines
with cannabis-derived products being available in the UK up till the 1970's. There is currently considerable
interest in the medical benefi ts of cannabis and related compounds for the treatment of a whole variety
of conditions including arthritis, multiple sclerosis and neurological pain. In 2006 an experimental licence
was granted in Canada for a cannabis-derived product for the management of MS-symptoms. There
are currently around 500 cannabis metabolites known, although recent evidence highlights that the
cannabinoids may not be the only bioactive constituents of cannabis. Cannabis-derived medications may
offer novel opportunities in drug discovery.
focused on the abuses associated with cannabis, the plant has been an essential source of medicines
with cannabis-derived products being available in the UK up till the 1970's. There is currently considerable
interest in the medical benefi ts of cannabis and related compounds for the treatment of a whole variety
of conditions including arthritis, multiple sclerosis and neurological pain. In 2006 an experimental licence
was granted in Canada for a cannabis-derived product for the management of MS-symptoms. There
are currently around 500 cannabis metabolites known, although recent evidence highlights that the
cannabinoids may not be the only bioactive constituents of cannabis. Cannabis-derived medications may
offer novel opportunities in drug discovery.
