The Long History and Emerging Science of Medical Cannabis in the United States
Despite cannabis being used medicinally for millennia, US criminalization in 1937 (against AMA advice) suppressed research until the endocannabinoid system's discovery reinvigorated scientific interest.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
This review traced the arc of medical cannabis from ancient Chinese use (c. 2737 BCE) through its US history to the emerging science of the endocannabinoid system.
Cannabis was criminalized in the US in 1937, notably against the formal advice of the American Medical Association presented to Congress. This effectively ended medical use and research for decades.
The discovery of the endocannabinoid system transformed the field. Endocannabinoids were found to control pain, muscle tone, mood, appetite, and inflammation. Cannabis contains over 100 cannabinoids with the capacity for analgesia through neuromodulation, neuroprotection, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Major institutions (NIH, Institute of Medicine, American College of Physicians) had issued statements supporting further research. The review focused on applications in chronic pain, muscle spasticity, cachexia, and other debilitating problems.
Key Numbers
Cannabis use documented since c. 2737 BCE. Criminalized in US in 1937. Over 100 cannabinoids identified. NIH, IOM, and ACP issued support statements for research.
How They Did This
Historical and scientific narrative review covering the chronology of medical cannabis in the US, the endocannabinoid system, and current/emerging research on therapeutic applications.
Why This Research Matters
This review placed the modern medical cannabis movement in historical context, showing that the current resurgence is not a new phenomenon but a return to pre-prohibition norms, now supported by modern neuroscience.
The Bigger Picture
The historical perspective in this review has been influential in policy discussions, highlighting that cannabis prohibition was a relatively recent historical anomaly in the context of millennia of medical use.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Narrative review format without systematic methodology. Historical claims about ancient cannabis use are difficult to verify. The review presented a predominantly pro-medical-cannabis perspective.
Questions This Raises
- ?How has the criminalization era affected the quality and quantity of cannabis research?
- ?Can the regulatory framework evolve fast enough to keep pace with scientific understanding?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Cannabis was criminalized in 1937 against the American Medical Association's advice to Congress
- Evidence Grade:
- This is a historical and scientific narrative review providing broad context rather than rigorous evidence assessment of specific therapeutic claims.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2009. The US medical cannabis landscape has changed dramatically since, with over 40 states now having some form of legal medical cannabis.
- Original Title:
- Medicinal use of cannabis in the United States: historical perspectives, current trends, and future directions.
- Published In:
- Journal of opioid management, 5(3), 153-68 (2009)
- Authors:
- Aggarwal, Sunil K(2), Carter, Gregory T(3), Sullivan, Mark D(3), ZumBrunnen, Craig, Morrill, Richard, Mayer, Jonathan D
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00337
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why was cannabis criminalized against medical advice?
The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 was driven by political, racial, and economic factors rather than medical evidence. The AMA objected on record to Congress but was overridden. The specific motivations are still debated by historians.
How many cannabinoids are in cannabis?
Over 100 unique cannabinoids have been identified in cannabis. THC and CBD are the most studied, but others like CBG, CBC, THCV, and CBN also have pharmacological activity.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00337APA
Aggarwal, Sunil K; Carter, Gregory T; Sullivan, Mark D; ZumBrunnen, Craig; Morrill, Richard; Mayer, Jonathan D. (2009). Medicinal use of cannabis in the United States: historical perspectives, current trends, and future directions.. Journal of opioid management, 5(3), 153-68.
MLA
Aggarwal, Sunil K, et al. "Medicinal use of cannabis in the United States: historical perspectives, current trends, and future directions.." Journal of opioid management, 2009.
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Medicinal use of cannabis in the United States: historical p..." RTHC-00337. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/aggarwal-2009-medicinal-use-of-cannabis
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.