The debate to legalise marijuana has been raging for decades now. America, in particular, remains a divided nation on the matter, with the state of Arizona legalising THC for medical usage back in 2010. Other states, however, have a more conservative stance on the substance and have categorically refused to entertain the possibility. Nevertheless, some of the benefits of marijuana cannot be contested. Advocates for the legalisation of weed wax lyrical about how it is a healthier alternative to alcohol and how it can aid those who live in pain or suffer from mental health illnesses. In fact, one woman from Kirkwall, Orkney even claimed that using cannabis oil "cured" her from crippling sciatica. Brenda Davidson spent 13 years suffering from sciatica so painful that it regularly reduced her to tears. But now, she has found a cure. Since using cannabis oil, the 55-year-old claims to be virtually pain free. Certainly, just a day after trialling the oil, Brenda exclaimed "I can’t believe this, I am not in any pain!" The former cafeteria assistant was informed about the oil's healing properties from her hairdresser. She said: "My hairdresser has done a lot of research into the cannabis oil, and said her mother had seen tremendous results. She was putting three drops under her mother’s tongue and she reacted very positively to it. She told me that everyone will be different; it will depend on the individual." Brenda had been using prescription tablets to treat her condition, but she plans to stop taking them once she's wholly confident that the cannabis oil will continue to deliver the same amazing results. It took Brenda two weeks before she decided to take the plunge and purchase the cannabis oil. However, it was a process of trial and error. Initially opting for a cheaper product which she didn't find effective, Brenda eventually stumbled on the CBD Brothers's cannabis oil which proved to be life-changing. "It costs £54 for a 10ml bottle, but it lasts me six to eight weeks. I remember it was a Saturday that it first arrived home, so I tried it, then again on the Sunday, but it wasn’t until the Monday, at work, that I [realised] I am not in any pain!" Brenda has suffered from sciatica for a number of years now. As a former cafeteria assistant, she was expected to be on her feet for long periods every day. And this eventually resulted in her being unable to walk long distances at all. She explained: "It got to the point that I could no longer walk the dog. I would be in so much pain and just come home crying my eyes out. I have been on different painkillers over the years and they put me through physio but it did not really help." Brenda's had little trouble since taking the cannabis drops. "If it does start to niggle a bit by tea-time I just take another drop and it’s fine again – I really did not think it would work, but it has," she continued. "The NHS should definitely look into providing it on prescription – surely it would work out cheaper for them than giving out all these prescriptions for painkillers. Altogether, it is the best £54 I have ever spent!" Although medical marijuana is illegal in the UK, the cannabis oil that Brenda is using is permitted as it doesn't technically contain any THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana. Since last year, it has been legal to purchase in the UK, since the Government's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHPR) approved it to be used as a medicine under licence. CBD Brothers state that the oil has no side effects and that it isn't addictive. In related news, this study revealed the strange symptom of depression that most people don't know about.

The debate over legalizing marijuana rages on in many different countries. Some critics have been guilty of overstating the health risks, and some advocates have been guilty of overstating the health benefits. More research is needed, but it's clear cannabis has some therapeutic effects. According to Medical News Today, marijuana has helped patients suffering from chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, depression and anxiety.

There's evidence cannabis has been effective at treating the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting. However, Joy Smith, a 52-year-old mother from Coventry, England, has made even a bolder claim. In an appearance on ITV's Morning, Smith she said cannabis oil, which is illegal in the U.K., 'cured' her terminal cancer.

In July 2016, Smith was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In August, she was told the cancer spread to her stomach and bowels. Doctors said she had only six weeks to live. In an attempt to buy more time, she started chemotherapy. But after receiving the treatment for three days every two weeks, she developed sespsis, a life-threatening infection that causes your immune system to attack your body. The line that delivered the chemotherapy had to be taken out.

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As Smith faced her mortality, her friends researched alternative cures, and discovered cannabis oil. One day a friend surprised her with a cannabis-based tablet, and told her to try it. At first, Smith didn't want to take the pill, because she "didn't know what it was." But having run out of options, she decided it couldn't hurt. Smith says that the tablet made her feel "drunk," "giggly" and when she spoke, her words were "slurred." (The cannabis oil contained THC, which is the compound in marijuana that makes you high.)

Curious about the health benefits, Smith did some online research. Scientists are dubious of cannabis oil's curative effects, but some people insist it has healing potential. And now Smith is one of those people. After taking the oil regularly for two years, doctors have cleared her of cancer. The 52-year-old mother is cancer-free and will no longer need chemotherapy.

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"I am going to party for the rest of my life," said Smith. "I have got to be the only person in the world to have survived this. I keep pinching myself to see if this is real. I am being monitored every three months, but other than that I have no more treatment planned. ...  My daughter is in Australia at the minute and when I told her she thought I was lying. Everyone around me has been amazing, I have an army behind me and they're all so happy."

Smith said she plans to write a book about her experience and advocate for cannabis oil to be legal in the U.K. An online petition she created already has 17,000 signatures. But it is important to note, again, that more research on this subject is needed. One should not come away from this story thinking "cannabis cures cancer!" But Smith's case could be further testament to cannabis' therapeutic effects. I mean, if cigarettes are legal in the U.K., why not cannabis oil?

Congratulations to Smith on her remarkable recovery. Party on!

Having raged for decades now, the debate on whether to legalize marijuana shows no signs of reaching a consensus anytime soon. While some progress has been made, especially in the United States, where THC was legalized in the state of Arizona for medical usage back in 2010, other countries have categorically refused to entertain the possibility of legalization. However, it is difficult to contest some of the benefits of marijuana. Advocates for the legalization of THC claim that not only is it a healthier alternative to alcohol but that it can provide those who live in chronic pain or suffer from mental illness with some relief. And now, after months of deliberation, The World Health Organisation has concluded that cannabidiol (CBD) - the relaxant property of cannabis that is used in medical marijuana - does not carry any risk of addiction and should not be scheduled drug. Asserting that CBD is a helpful treatment for those who suffer from epilepsy, WHO stated in a report published yesterday that, "there is increased interest from Member States in the use of cannabis for medical indications, including for palliative care". The report continued, "responding to that interest and increase in use, WHO has in recent years gathered more robust scientific evidence on therapeutic use and side effects of cannabis and cannabis components." The WHO concluded that "recent evidence from animal and human studies shows that its use could have some therapeutic value for seizures due to epilepsy and related conditions." And the authors added that "current information does not justify scheduling of cannabidiol", on account of the fact that taking medical marijuana does not lead to addiction to THC, the psychoactive property of cannabis that induces a "high". Raul Elizalde, who has campaigned tirelessly to get his epileptic daughter, Grace, CBD treatment, was overjoyed by the report. Speaking to the Mail Online, he asserted: "I’m ecstatic that these international health leaders agree that CBD is a substance that should not be scheduled and has therapeutic value for a variety of medical conditions.  Elizalde, who is the founder and president of HempMeds Mexico, spoke on behalf of his organization when he added, "We look forward to continuing our conversation about its many benefits in 2018." The World Health Organisation is now planning to launch a more extensive review in May to delve into how medical marijuana and other cannabis-related properties can help those who suffer from cancer and Alzheimer's, as well as epilepsy.

The full effects of cannabis have been revealed after Donald Trump decided to officially reclassify the drug.

In one of the biggest steps towards federal legalisation of the substance so far, the US Department of Justice announced that marijuana is now considered less dangerous.

It marks a massive change in the country's drug policy, as it was confirmed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche that the changes will apply to two groups of products.

Classifications of products containing marijuana that are covered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or that have received a state medical-marijuana licence, have changed for good.

While most US states have legalised the medical or recreational use of marijuana, the substance remains illegal at the federal level.

Though the drug is now considered a Schedule III drug, down from the likes of heroin in Schedule I, it can still have a range of effects on the body, which users should be aware of.

How long do cannabis effects last?

The effects of cannabis vary, like most drugs, depending on a number of factors.

This can include the method of consumption, the user’s health, age, weight, and tolerance levels.

According to Healthline, smoking the substance can result in a quicker onset of effects, anywhere between two and 10 minutes.

On the other hand, edibles can take 30 minutes to two hours to start having a noticeable effect.

The effects of marijuana are caused by THC, the main psychoactive compound in the drug, when it enters the bloodstream, according to WebMD.

If smoked, THC will fully be absorbed into the bloodstream, while edibles take longer as the THC must be metabolized by the liver.

The high caused by cannabis usually peaks within 30 minutes, with most users experiencing the feeling for five to six hours, while stronger strains can prolong that period.

The immediate effects of the drug can wear off within hours, but for those who are concerned about drug testing, it should be noted that traces of cannabis can be found in the system for up to two or three days after use, and longer for regular users.

What are the side effects of smoking weed?

Cannabis can impair judgment for up to 24 hours, and during this time, your thoughts may feel deeper than usual, and your ability to concentrate could be negatively affected.

A range of physical effects can be caused, such as an increased heart rate, which can increase by 20 to 50 beats per minute and last for several hours.

You might also experience red eyes as a common side effect, with blood vessels in the eyes dilating.

THC stimulates areas of the brain associated with pleasure, which can lead to euphoric or relaxed feelings that are linked with weed use.

On the other hand, it can also cause anxiety or panic, which is more likely in those who are inexperienced or those who aren't used to a potent strain.

Another common side effect of cannabis use is what's known as the "munchies," which is also known as a sudden craving for food.

This happens when THC simulates the olfactory bulb, enhancing your sense of taste and smell, making your brain think that you're hungry, even if you aren't.

Eating a full meal before using marijuana can help to alleviate this side effect.

Trump Administration considers cannabis products Schedule III

Schedule III drugs are known as controlled substances, which have a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence, lower than Schedule I and II.

Blanche stated on Thursday (23 April): "The Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump's promise to expand Americans' access to medical treatment options,

"This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information."

He also called a hearing to consider reclassifying all marijuana, scheduled for June.

Ever since 1970, the US has classified marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance, which means it has a "high potential for abuse" and at the time, there was "no currently accepted medical use".

But things have changed in the 56 years since, as States such as California led the movement to allow the substance to be used for medical purposes.

This brought on a new wave of regulations and enforcement on the substance.

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Experts are warning that medicinal marijuana may not be as safe as some people believe - and a new study has shown the risks could even outweigh any benefits.

The debate over the legalization of marijuana has raged for many years, with many people being advocates of its use for medicinal purposes, especially to treat pain.

However, a bombshell new study has found "insufficient evidence" to back up most of the perceived benefits, and has raised some serious concerns about hidden risks of use.

Dr. Michael Hsu, an addiction psychiatrist at UCLA and lead author of the study, said in a statement per the New York Post: "Patients deserve honest conversations about what the science does and doesn’t tell us about medical cannabis."

Debate over the safety of medicinal marijuana has raged for years. Credit: Creative Images Lab/Getty Images

Medicinal cannabis is legal in 40 states and the majority of US citizens said they supported its use when prescribed by a doctor in a recent poll, with many using it to manage chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and other health issues.

Medical cannabis is now legal in 40 states and DC, and nearly 9 in 10 US adults say they support using it when prescribed by a doctor.

Hsu added: "While many people turn to cannabis seeking relief, our review highlights significant gaps between public perception and scientific evidence regarding its effectiveness for most medical conditions."

Hsu and his team analyzed more than 2,500 scientific papers published between January 2010 and September 2025 to compare medical cannabis sold at dispensaries with pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids - the FDA-approved drugs containing either THC, a psychoactive compound, or CBD, which doesn’t cause a high - and found that those medications did help to ease chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, as well as helping patients with HIV/AIDS-related appetite loss to gain weight, and aided certain severe pediatric seizure disorders.

However, despite over half of users turning to it for acute pain, the research team found no solid clinical evidence that it is effective, and that research on whether medicinal cannabis was effective for insomnia, anxiety, PTSD, Parkinson’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis was weak or inconclusive at best.

Some groups want marijuana completely legalized. Credit: Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty

Current guidelines also do not recommend cannabis-based treatments as a starting option for pain management.

Despite the benefits being negligible in many cases, the risks of marijuana use were much more clear cut.

Long-term studies suggested a correlation between adolescents that used high-potency cannabis facing higher rates of psychotic symptoms, with 12.4% affected compared with 7.1% of those using low-potency products.

They also found that they were more likely to develop generalized anxiety disorder, with 19.1% experiencing it compared to 11.6% of those that had used weaker cannabis.

The research also showed that around 29% of medical cannabis users also met the criteria for cannabis use disorder - a complex psychiatric condition which is signified by increased tolerance to cannabis, a compulsion to use it, as well as withdrawals when the drug is stopped.

The risk is four to seven time higher among people who start using before the age of 18 compared to adults, and it primarily involves products containing THC.

The study also found that the daily use of medical cannabis, especially high potency or inhaled products, could increase the risk of cardiovascular problems compared with occasional use, heightening the chance of heart attacks, strokes, and coronary artery disease.

Hsu and his colleagues have thus recommended that patients be screened for cardiovascular disease and psychotic disorders before doctors prescribe any products containing THC, as well a urging doctors to consider potential drug interactions and whether the benefits would outweigh the harm before prescribing medicinal marijuana.

Donald Trump is considering reclassifying the drug. Credit: Anna Moneymaker / Getty

Hsu added: "Clear guidance from clinicians is essential to support safe, evidence-based decision-making when discussing medical cannabis with their patients."

While the findings may be concerning, the researchers did acknowledge several limitations to their study, noting that it was not a systematic review and didn’t include a formal risk-of-bias assessment, as well as the fact much of it was observational and could therefore have been affected by other factors.

The variation in the cannabis products themselves, participants, and the study design could also have affected the outcomes.

Hsu added: "Further research is crucial to better understand the potential benefits and risks of medical cannabis.

"By supporting more rigorous studies, we can provide clearer guidance and improve clinical care for patients.”

The latest findings come amid speculation that President Donald Trump could soon reclassify cannabis under federal law.

Besides the FDA-approved prescription medications, cannabis is still listed as a Schedule I drug, putting it in the same category as LSD and heroin.

However, new reports suggest that Trump may move it to a Schedule III drug, a lower ranking which would class it as less dangerous and acceptable for medical use.

Featured image credit: Creative Images Lab/Getty Images

Cannabis is now legal in 10 US states, all of Canada and - like many of the remaining US states - Europe is embracing decriminalisation. As the green tide spreads, so too does the normalisation of cannabis use. According to a United Nations report, the use of the drug increased by 43 per cent in the US between 2007 and 2015.

As the medicinal uses of cannabis are promoted, conversations around the link between cannabis and psychosis have died down. However, one side effect has yet to be considered by many of its users.

A study has found that regular cannabis users may need up to twice the level of sedation, compared to nonusers, for medical procedures. Researchers tested fentanyl, midazolam and propofol - three drugs commonly used for endoscopy.

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The study was undertaken by researchers at Community Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, and was published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. The researchers initially looked at the medical records of 250 people who had undergone endoscopic procedures in a two-year span. (This time period commenced three years after cannabis had been legalised in Colorado, in 2012.)

It found that, compared to nonusers, those who smoked cannabis or consumed edibles on a daily or weekly basis required 14 per cent more fentanyl, 20 per cent more midazolam and a considerable 220 per cent more propofol to achieve optimum sedation for routine procedures, such as colonoscopies.

“A total of 250 medical records were reviewed from 1 endoscopy centre and 1 endoscopist to minimise the variability in sedation technique for the study purposes,” the authors of the study explain. “The cohort was reviewed with regard to age and gender to determine whether differences were present among different groups as to the relative amount of sedation medication required in cannabis users vs nonusers.”

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In more granular terms, the study found that it took an average of 44.81 milligrams of propofol for the cannabis users to drift off, while the nonusers required an average of just 13.83 milligrams. Furthermore, a link was found between how heavy a user the patient was and how much of the sedative drugs were required.

“Some of the sedative medications have dose-dependent side effects, meaning the higher the dose, the greater likelihood for problems,” explains lead researcher Dr Mark Twardowski. “That becomes particularly dangerous when suppressed respiratory function is a known side effect.”

With "continued increase in legalisation and use of cannabis, the field of anaesthesia and sedation needs further studies with greater depth," the study explains. It suggests that probing patients on their cannabis intake "can be an important tool for planning patient care and assessing both medication needs and possible risks during endoscopic procedures."

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The research is certainly not without its limitations, especially considering that of the 250 patients, 25 were cannabis users. “This study really marks a small first step,” says Dr Twardowski. “We still don’t understand the mechanism behind the need for higher dosages, which is important to finding better care management solutions.”

Furthermore, there may be other factors to consider such as the possible increased likelihood of cannabis users taking other drugs. While the information is certainly eye-opening, a direct causal link has not yet been found between regular cannabis use and the need for higher doses of drugs for medical sedation.

Nonetheless this is an important and often overlooked potential side-effect of a drug which is becoming increasingly popular. “A strong correlation appears to exist between the regular use of cannabis and the need for increased doses of the sedative medications fentanyl, midazolam, and propofol required in the performance of endoscopic procedures,” the study explains.

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“The correlation could prove to be important in making medical decisions related to the sedation of cannabis users,” the conclusion adds. “Knowledge of a patient's use of cannabis prior to sedation can help prepare endoscopists, nurses, and anesthesia providers for the potential need for more medication, increased costs, and possible risks associated with dose-dependent adverse events.”

The use of the drug increased by 43 per cent in the US between 2007 and 2015, according to a United Nations report. However, the legal status of cannabis in the United States remains a complicated topic.

“[It is] an odd situation that the US drove the international prohibition of cannabis and more recently seems to be driving its liberalisation,” drug expert Dr David Morris told VT. “However, that is all at state level. Federally, cannabis use in America is still an offence ... and with Trump making noises about gangs and drugs, there are some interesting tensions there ... or not.”

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“I say or not,” Dr Morris continues, “because the legal cannabis industry in the US may have created enough of a distinction between cannabis 'the drug' and cannabis 'the medicine' that many no longer think of cannabis as one 'thing'. So Trump could elevate the 'war on drugs' including cannabis, but also tolerate a legal cannabis industry.”

Ultimately, expressing sovereignty over your own body is as much about protecting it as it is about exercising what many would argue is the right to choose your poison. One would hope that we know certain things, like murder, are wrong regardless of whether they are illegal. However, since the green tide started to spread across America, cannabis use has increased significantly - going at least some way to show how keen we are to take the government’s lead on our health.