CANNBIS (Indian Hemp)

An analogue about cannabis
One of the unorganized drug in pharmacognosy.

The drug has two families
A) Resin producing (Moraceae)
B) Hemp producing (Cannabinaceae)

For the purpose of this write up discussion is base on resin producing cannabis. Cannabis can be defined as the resin produce from the flowering top and small leaves of the pistillate.
Biological source; Cannabis sativa
Family: Moraceae

Geographical location: The plant is indigenous to India, Pakistan, etc.
Cultivation: The plant is cultivated from the sea and it matured after two months. On maturity the male and female plants can be identify, at these point the male plant are collected and shaken over the female plants for pollination to occur.

Narcotic product obtained from the plant;

1. GANJA - this refers to the resin obtained from mainly the flowers and small leaves of the female plants. This is the part used mainly for extraction of compounds used in the production of pharmaceutical drug.

2. MARIJUANA - this refers to the resin obtained from the larger leaves and branches of both the male and female Indian hemp plants.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
The crude drug contains about 60 differents compounds which together are called Cannabinoid. The major cannabinoid are;

1. Cannabinol
2. Tetrahydrocannabinol
3. Cannabidiol
4. Cannabichromene
   Some chemical structures are;
   

Essential oil in Cannabis include;

1. Cannibene
2. Alkaloidal contents
   *Spermidine
   *Trigonelline
   *Cannabisativine
   *Choline

Especially the youths have engaged in the use of this crude drug and are ignorant about it uses. Some of the pharmaceutical uses of cannabis include;

1. For many century Cannabis has been used as a hypnotic.
2. It can be employed as an anti-convulsants.
3. It is used as a sedatives.
4. As an analgesic.
5. As an anti-anxiety.
6. As an anti-tussive.
7. Tetrahydrocannabinol specifically shows promising potential in the management of cancer.

Picture reference: https://pixabay.com
Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy