As an introductory note, this article will be greatly expanded after it has a Sponsor. There are many issues surrounding Cannabis indica: medical, legal, social, environmental, spiritual and so forth that will be gone into in detail when the page has been sponsored. Below is but a skeletal introduction to a much broader article which will follow.

It is obligatory to discuss the symptoms that Cannabis indica can produce in people on this site, since it is such a widely used drug today. Regardless of one's opinion on the use of Marihuana, it is a very commonly used drug for many millions of people around the world and my intention is to provide information to the general public about the symptoms that can be produced in a person from commonly used (or abused!) medically active substances. That is one of the themes of this web site, after all.

Since Cannabis indica produces primarily mental symptoms (and very many of them) I will limit my sources for this discussion to the one best source for mental symptoms for most homeopathic remedies; namely, Materia Medica of the Human Mind, by M. L. Agrawal, a famous Indian homeopath.

The drug produces some physical symptoms which I will list in the discussion and conclusions section later, together with a discussion and comparison of other species of Cannabis. I will not include all mental symptoms listed, as there are too many for this space and purpose; however, I will include all the important and characteristic mental symptoms and especially examples which illustrate the essence of the remedy, as well as additions from my experiences in both proving the remedy as well as helping those who have required it as a constitutional remedy in potentized form, employed according to classical homeopathic indications.

Most people who partake of this herb in various forms for medical, social, religious, artistic or other purposes don't necessarily exhibit or experience the symptoms listed below. This will depend on frequency and duration of use, constitutional sensitivity to the drug and many other factors. This drug in homeopathic form is often required for those who display some of these symptoms without taking Cannabis! and matches the general essence of their case.

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I must also add an important editorial about the recreational, mind-expanding and medical uses of Marihuana before we go into the "meat and potatoes" of this remedy. I advocate the legalization of this drug for all the above uses. One reason to me far outweighs all the other benefits which Marihuana offers. Rarely if ever does the drug induce violent behaviors in the user the way that alcohol very frequently does. As is discussed under the section on mercury, we need to reduce the factors that tend to promote violence in society today (which most would agree is out of control). Alcohol, especially when combined with the violent influences of mercury or other drugs, can result in tragic loss of life or at the very least, abusive and violent situations. This vile combination is one of the major causes of homicidal incidents, hate crimes and violence of all sorts. I'm certain of that. The mind-expanding abilities of Cannabis are legendary and ancient. Although ultimately I advocate the elimination of drugs and poisons of all kinds from the system (except, of course, drugs prescribed by your health care provider) in an ultimate quest for optimal health mentally, physically and emotionally, there is a need to experiment for many people and this provides a vehicle for personal growth that would otherwise not be available to them if the drug were not a viable option to alcohol and the more destructive drugs such as speed, heroine, cocaine et c.

The medical benefits of "Ganja" are many including the ability to increase the appetite for patients suffering from wasting diseases, A.I.D.S., cancers et c. It can lower the interoccular pressure of the eye in patients suffering from glaucoma. It can also be used to treat many forms of schizophrenia and many forms of mental disorders used allopathically or homeopathically. The drug is very useful in various anxiety disorders, violent behaviors, depression and many chronic diseases and conditions. Click on the links at the bottom of this page to go to Cannabis directory sites where there are links to sites with information on the medical uses of this drug.

It is the medical right of the individual to choose what drug he or she will use for whatever purpose is necessary to promote and establish their physical, emotional and mental well-being. This is especially true if no effective relief can be given the patient by the mainstream sources of medicine. The knowledge of the individual may be greater than the knowledge of the government or the dominant medical system of the time and ultimately the choice of medical treatments for oneself lies with the individual and cannot be dictated to by one or another school of medical or special interest laws which historically have subverted the U.S. Constitution and medical rights of the individual through influence peddling. After all, what is the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness without mental, emotional and physical well-being? And who has the right to say what is best for the individual? Certainly not any system which is politically and financially controlled by special interests.

The stresses of modern life are not necessarily best dealt with through the use of drugs, but since many adults desire a slight intoxication for purposes of relaxation and to enhance their off-duty and social time, there should be a choice other than the destructive and ubiquitous alcoholic beverages to help them to relax and enjoy time together with friends, family and dates. Its availability and legality would, contrary to right wing drug war propaganda, decrease the demand for hard drugs.

There are many other benefits to a society which embraces Cannabis for medical, recreational and industrial use. For example, hemp fiber (made from the stems and leaves of the plant) can be made into many things including paper, clothing and many other products which lessen our need on the non-renewable resource of petroleum and requires hardly any pesticides to grow like cotton and other natural fibers. Cannabis is naturally resistant to most insects and plant diseases. This is, in turn, good for the environment, since the use of pesticides is reduced and pollution of the ground and water resources is reduced. It is a great source of oils, fibers, livestock feeds and many other products.

It is undeniably true that keeping Cannabis and other drugs illegal contributes greatly to the level of crime in a country and globally. Legalizing drugs, especially the most benign and beneficial such as Hemp, takes the wind out of the sails of criminals as a potential source of income to fund anything from arms purchases to making bombs. And with the demand for drugs, which will not disappear, criminal activity increases as the demand for dealers exists to bring people what they want. America adores instant gratification and demands are generally met when capital is available. Legalization of pot alone would give the government huge amounts of revenue that it so desperately needs to help rebuild the country's infrastructure, provide human services, fund education and other worthwhile programs. Puritanical ideology and political rhetoric, not clear thinking perpetuates the ridiculous war on drugs and we would be far better off in many ways by legalization of at least Marijuana and eventually all drugs. Libertarians and independent thinkers realize that this is the logical course of action which provide many benefits such as a greatly reduced number of prison inmates, faster court system cleared of non-violent drug cases, more effective law enforcement and anti-terrorist efforts, since the number of criminals and cases which drain executive resources would be eliminated and on and on... A mentality based on conflict, opposites, good and evil and war also perpetuates the war on drugs. It is reflected in America's bullying, empirialistic global demeanor as well. Must we perpetually be at war? Some war. Any war... No wonder the U.S. is hated by so many people around the world. This isn't rocket science, people; progressive countries such as the Netherlands, Canada and others have stopped enforcing the laws relating to Marihuana with great benefits. I think we need to rethink this whole (holistic?) issue, as it is related to many of our problems socially, medically, legally, environmentally, economically and morally.