Marijuana biology

Harvey DJ, Martin BR, Paton WDM (1979) Identification and measurement of cannabinoids and their in vivo metabolites in liver by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In Nahas GG, Paton WDM (eds) Marijuana biological effects. Pergamon Press, Oxford, pp 45-62... 

Mechoulam R, Devane WA, Glaser R. Cannabinoid geometry and biological activity. In Nahas GG et al., eds. Marijuana and Medicine. Totowa, NJ Humana Press, 1999 65-90. 

The cannabinoid-type psychoactive principles of marijuana Cannabis sativa L.), have been of interest to pharmacologists for many years. The biological characterization of the major euphoriant principle, (—j-A - wr-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (20), has led to an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of these compounds, and ultimately enabled the characterization of the cannabinoid receptor This... 

The simple pyrans are rather unstable compounds and of little biological or industrial significance but some of their benzo derivatives are of considerable interest. Many 2H-1-benzopyrans (chromenes) are found in plants, for example evodionol (126), lapachenole (127), lonchocarpin (128), rottlerine (129) and edulan (130). A few of the constituents of marijuana (hashish) belong to this class, for example cannabinol (131). 

Today, scientists continue to try to unravel the biological mechanisms by which cannabinoids relieve pain, with hopes that one day a synthetic cannabinoid drug will be produced that can be legally prescribed to alleviate pain and suffering in people with AIDS, cancer, and other illnesses that cause chronic pain. At the same time, scientists hope that this new cannabinoid pain reliever will be free of the negative effects of marijuana, which include intoxication and addiction. 

Despite years of study, not until 1964 was the principal psychoactive agent in cannabis isolated. This substance has been labeled delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol but is more commonly known as A-9-THC, or simply THC. The THC compound w as first reported by Gaoni and Mechoulam (1964), two researchers w orking in Israel. Research since 1964 has shown that the A-9-THC cannabinoid accounts for the vast majority of the known specific pharmacological actions of marijuana. Although THC is the prime psychoactive agent in cannabis, other cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol and cannabinol, can be biologically active and can modify THC effects. However, they tend not to be psychoactive in and of themselves. 

Onaivi ES (ed.) (2002) Biology of marijuana From Gene to Behavior. London Taylor and Francis. 

Liau A, Diclemente RJ, Wingood GM, Crosby RA, Williams KM, Harrington K, Davies SL, Hook EW, 111, Oh MK (2002) Associations between biologically confirmed marijuana use and laboratory-confirmed sexually transmitted diseases among African American adolescent females. Sex Transm Dis 29 387-390... 

The above-referenced studies on biological sterols published during the last decade are representative of the general capabilities of capillary GC for this class of compounds. The use of combined GC/MS leads generally to structural elucidation, but careful comparisons of retention characteristics are in order due to the extensive occurrence of isomeric compounds. In this view, extensive retention studies of various sterols [311,312] are still justified. An example of the general capabilities of capillary GC is shown in Fig. 3.19, comparing the sterol profiles of tobacco and marijuana plant materials [306] most of the resolved components were identified... 

Cannabinoid research and the use of caimabis products continue to attract significant attention. The current dramatic advances in molecular biology and technology that increased scientific knowledge in cannabinoid research will certainly contribute to a better policy on the medical use of marijuana. For example, preliminary studies with CBR antagonists have contributed to resolving... 

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