The Evolution of Medical Cannabis: From Illegal Drug to Life-Changing Medicine
In recent years, medical cannabis has transcended its controversial reputation and emerged as a life-changing therapeutic tool. This evolution has had a positive impact on many patients seeking alternative treatments, also sparking medical research and major legislative shifts.
Written by Hannah Vysoky | Edited by Andy Andersen
Aaron Newsom runs his hand through cannabis plants growing at Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance’s Watsonville, Calif. grow.
Scary Plants Media is dedicated to the remarkable journey of medical cannabis, exploring its significance as a game-changer in healthcare and its potential to touch the lives of millions. Here’s the inside scoop on our upcoming interview with Sweatleaf Joe, founder of the Sweetleaf Collective, touching on where medical cannabis has been and how it’s reaching today’s patients in need.
The Emergence of Medical Cannabis
The history of cannabis spans millennia. Long before the moral stigmas of the 20th century, ancient civilizations recognized the beneficial properties of the plant and cultivated it for many therapeutic uses.
Though Schedule 1 classification hindered scientific research and restricted access to the plant for decades, cannabis plays a vital role in augmenting today’s traditional medicine—from helping to relieve pain and inflammation to treating insomnia and anxiety symptoms.
One of the most significant breakthroughs in the medical marijuana field was the discovery of the endocannabinoid system, a complex network of receptors found throughout our bodies. Researchers have since uncovered the role of this system in regulating various physiological processes, from pain perception to immune function—holistically bringing the body back to a state of equilibrium.
As research continues to uncover the potential medical benefits of cannabis, the stigma surrounding its use is slowly dissipating. The emergence of medical cannabis in the modern world serves as a testament to the power of scientific discovery in redefining our understanding of medicine.
Cannabis Breakthroughs with Sweetleaf Joe
In the 1980s, medical cannabis emerged as a ray of hope during the devastating AIDS epidemic. Pioneering research and breakthroughs paved the way for what was once an illegal drug to be recognized as a potentially life-changing medicine.
Founded as the Sweetleaf Collective in 1996, helping 5 AIDS patients, Sweetleaf Health Equity now helps a network of more than 3,000 patients in the area get free medical cannabis, including low-income and terminally ill patients.
“It was relaxing. It was comfortable,” says Sweetleaf founder Joe Arione aka “Sweetleaf Joe” of his first time trying cannabis. “It felt like cannabis was giving me a big hug.” In the plant, Arione found relief from depression symptoms that his prescribed medications weren’t providing. “I wasn’t expecting any of this,” he adds, “But it happened and it was a giant relief.”
So Arione founded the Sweetleaf Collective to help spread the relief around. “There was a lot of PTSD in my queer friend group because [AIDS] had just decimated the community,” acknowledges Arione. “People were really shell shocked. And so cannabis was important because it didn’t just help medically. It was also helping psychologically. It gave people peace of mind. It brought people together.”
During the AIDS crisis, Arione saw firsthand how cannabis made all the difference in helping patients reclaim their appetite to combat wasting syndrome. Today, Sweetleaf Health Equity is advocating for a more robust nonprofit sector of the cannabis industry to meet the needs of millions of low-income patients who could benefit from the plant. Arione was also a key player in ensuring the passage of The Dennis Peron and Brownie Mary Act, creating a better legal framework for licensed cannabis retailers to donate medicine to eligible patients.
“Sweetleaf” Joe Airone, Sweetleaf Health Equity
Legislative Changes to Medical Cannabis
In recent years, significant legislative changes surrounding medical cannabis have turned the tide on its perception. Countries such as Canada, Germany, and Australia, along with several states in the US, including California and Colorado, have taken the progressive step of legalizing medical cannabis. This shift in policy has opened up new avenues for patients who can now access this previously restricted treatment option, bringing hope to those suffering from chronic and other serious conditions.
Proposition 64, which legalized personal use and cultivation of marijuana for adults in California, introduced a tax on this previously untaxed industry. As a result, even medical cannabis became subject to taxation. To alleviate this burden, some compassionate caregivers and dispensaries began selling lighters, using the proceeds to pay taxes to provide free medical cannabis to patients in need. While fundraisers such as these provide community building and relief for otherwise needy patients, the Prop 64 legal framework has had the unintended consequence of reducing the amount of affordable cannabis available to medical patients.
As of May, 2024, the DEA is moving forward with plans to reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to Schedule III controlled substance—recognizing the plant, for the first time since prohibition, as a substance of medicinal value with minimal risk.
Wayne Justman, California’s first medical marijuana patient, arrives at Flore Dispensary in San Francisco, Calif.
Learn More about Medical Cannabis
The impact of legalization extends beyond patient access. Research on medical cannabis has
begun to flourish as a result, providing more significant insights into its potential therapeutic benefits. Scientists and medical professionals can now delve deeper into the countless applications of medical cannabis, studying its potential effectiveness in treating a variety of conditions.
Continued research and education in the field of medical cannabis are vital to unlocking its full potential. By supporting policy changes that expand cannabis access, we can allow more folks to benefit from the therapeutic properties of the plant.