Medical cannabis, also called medical marijuana, refers to the use of the cannabis plant and its component cannabinoids (such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)) as a medical treatment for certain conditions and their associated symptoms.
It acts on the endocannabinoid system within the body and is known to affect a wide range of physiological processes. Unlike recreational cannabis, medical cannabis is carefully formulated with specific ratios with THC and CBD to treat various chronic conditions. Little Green Pharma’s medical cannabis is manufactured in line with strict Australian pharmaceutical standards unlike other imported products available in the Australian market or online.
CBD oil (medical cannabis without THC) is a commonly prescribed formulation and doesn’t give the ‘high’ associated with THC.
Medical cannabis is typically manufactured from the flowering head of the cannabis plant which contains the highest concentration of cannabinoids. This is different to hemp oil, which in Australia is derived from pressing hemp seeds that contain no significant amounts of cannabinoids.
THC & CBD
The cannabis plant contains up to 545 chemical compounds including 114 different cannabinoids, many of which have been clinically demonstrated to interact with the body’s cannabinoid receptors. To date, the most widely studied cannabinoids have been: THC and CBD.
THC
is a cannabinoid which is typically the most abundant cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, especially in illicit cannabis. THC has similar therapeutic benefits to CBD but is known for its intoxicating effects.
CBD
is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid and is non-addictive and less potent than THC with very low toxicity.
THC and CBD may work synergistically, while CBD is understood to antagonise the adverse side effects associated with THC5.
Cannabis formulations have different ratios of THC to CBD. Each formulation:
- Provides different therapeutic effects.
- Interacts differently with each person’s endocannabinoid system and biochemistry.
- Can have a different side effect profile in patients.