The Case For Marijuana As HIV Medicine

Support for medicinal marijuana has reached an all-time high in many parts of the world, especially among medical practitioners. Over 70% of the elite community are in favour of the use of cannabis to lessen the effects of a large number of chronic medical conditions.

- Dr Majwala Meaud Major

People living with HIV have long realised that cannabis can ease many HIV-related conditions, including nausea, loss of appetite, depression, weight loss, and neuropathic pain. In addition to treating common symptoms of HIV and side effects of antiretroviral drugs, research indicates that cannabis may help fight HIV itself. An increasing number of scientific studies, conducted at well-known institutions and published in prominent medical journals, are revealing antiviral effects of cannabis against HIV. These studies detail diverse approaches in measuring favourable effects that cannabis may have in slowing HIV disease progression.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) given to monkeys may lessen HIV’s damage in the gut. During primary infection HIV attacks the guts associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), where a substantial amount of the immune system is located, hitting CD4 cells hard and early during this process. The initial damage done to GALT is believed to be essential to the progression of HIV disease.