Abstract
The cannabis plant contains over 100 cannabinoids along with other substances. The effects of these compounds on the human body are not fully known. Ongoing research is helping us better understand the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and physiological effects of these compounds and recognize the medical benefits. As we begin to comprehend the effects of these substances, a good understanding of the pharmacology is important. This chapter reviews the pharmacology of cannabis, beginning with an overview of the cannabis plant followed by a review of the endocannabinoid system. It goes into more detail with the two main cannabinoids, namely Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD), providing details on the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of these compounds. Finally, the chapter reviews the different routes of administration that cannabis is being used as well as insight to interactions with other medications.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
United Nations Office on Durgs and Crime. Recommended methods for the identification and analysis of cannabis and cannabis products; 2009.
Grof CPL. Cannabis, from plant to pill. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2018;84(11):2463–7.
Dryburgh LM, et al. Cannabis contaminants: sources, distribution, human toxicity and pharmacologic effects. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2018;84(11):2468–76.
McPartland JM. Cannabis systematics at the levels of family, genus, and species. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2018;3(1):203–12.
Al-Zouabi I, et al. Butane hash oil and dabbing: insights into use, amateur production techniques, and potential harm mitigation. Subst Abus Rehabil. 2018;9:91–101.
Russo EB, Marcu J. Cannabis pharmacology: the usual suspects and a few promising leads. Adv Pharmacol. 2017;80:67–134.
Lu Y, Anderson HD. Cannabinoid signaling in health and disease. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2017;95(4):311–27.
Lucas CJ, Galettis P, Schneider J. The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2018;84(11):2477–82.
Mouhamed Y, et al. Therapeutic potential of medicinal marijuana: an educational primer for health care professionals. Drug Healthc Patient Saf. 2018;10:45–66.
MacCallum CA, Russo EB. Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing. Eur J Intern Med. 2018;49:12–9.
Morales P, Reggio PH, Jagerovic N. An overview on medicinal chemistry of synthetic and natural derivatives of cannabidiol. Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:422.
Guerrero-Alba R, et al. Some prospective alternatives for treating pain: the endocannabinoid system and its putative receptors GPR18 and GPR55. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:1496.
Morales P, Reggio PH. An update on non-CB(1), non-CB(2) cannabinoid related G-protein-coupled receptors. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2017;2(1):265–73.
Sarzi-Puttini P, et al. Cannabinoids in the treatment of rheumatic diseases: pros and cons. Autoimmun Rev. 2019;18(12):102409.
Alsherbiny MA, Li CG. Medicinal cannabis-potential drug interactions. Medicines (Basel). 2018;6(1):3.
Papaseit E, et al. Cannabinoids: from pot to lab. Int J Med Sci. 2018;15(12):1286–95.
Brown SJ, et al. Use of cannabis during pregnancy and birth outcomes in an Aboriginal birth cohort: a cross-sectional, population-based study. BMJ Open. 2016;6(2):e010286.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Valani, R. (2022). Pharmacology of Cannabis. In: Valani, R. (eds) Cannabis Use in Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12722-9_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12722-9_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-12721-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-12722-9
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)