The complexity of Cannabis sativa plant is defined by the presence of various compounds that induce psychoactive action on individuals who consume it.Currently, over 500 chemical compounds have been identified in marijuana with over 60 cannabinoids which generate more than 2000 compounds in marijuana smoke through a series of pyrolysis reactions. With an exception of the main psychoactive alkaloid in cannabis,other cannabinoids such as cannabidiol, delta-8-tetra hydrocannabinol and cannabinol, designated as 2, 3 and 4 in Figure 1, contribute to its pharmacological effects . The introduction of tetra hydrocannabinol into the biological system induces a number of effects characterized by alterations in memory, movement, mood,perception and cognition and in some cases increased dopamine release that ultimately produces euphoric sensations and anxiolytic effects . Cannabidiol forms almost 40% of the cannabis extracts from the Cannabis sativa plant and is mainly found in seeds, stalks and flowers of marijuana plant and offers antipsychotic and alerting properties when consumed and this forms the basis for its pharmaco-therapeutic effects .
When marijuana is smoked, these compounds find their way into the smokers’body system where they cause a series of disruptive effects among various organs including the pulmonary, respiratory and the central nervous systems .Even though there are minimal reported mortality cases arising from marijuana use among consumers, its increased illegal trading in black markets and consumption patterns precipitates concerns on its potential hazardous effects on human health especially its role as a precursor to cancer development not with standing that efforts made towards its cessation have been met by a push to legalize its use basically for medicinal concerns. Nevertheless, marijuana smoking has been recognized as a risk factor for a pulmonary function and respiratory complications by a number of systematic and epidemiological studies.The motivation behind this review is to examine the apparent harm and psychotic impacts arising from repeated use of this psychoactive drug substance and the scientific efforts advanced towards its cessation by reviewing selected published articles in different journals and databases. In addition, scientific efforts taken in order to reduce marijuana toxicity have also been evaluated in this survey. Moreover, marijuana legalization for medicinal purposes as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuro protective and anticonvulsant characteristics has grown in a number of states and nations in the world upon the assumption that it contains chemical compounds that have potency toward treating a number of illness and symptoms regardless of associated risks .
Therefore, the application of marijuana as a pharmaceutical drug has also been reviewed in this study especially its use in the management of the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2. These research findings may direct further research in promoting methods that can enhance cessation and control marijuana use and thereby promoting a healthy livelihood of the human race. The literature considered for this study is published in English language. After the search on the multidisciplinary databases and google scholar, a number of published reports on the subjects of interest especially on marijuana smoking, toxicity and carcinogenicity were the main search terms.From the surveyed literature, it can be predicted that in the pharmaceutical industry, cannabis is a potential opioid drug used for relieving pain among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, neurological issues and even HIV and AIDS patients who use it to aid in appetite restoration. In line with these characteristics,cannabis is likely to offer more benefits in the medical field if clear handling rules and control measures are ratified by more countries across the world. This will provide room for extensive scientific research on the medical benefits of Cannabis sativa. Figure 2 presents Marijuana leaves, whereas Figure 2 presents the plant Marijuana, respectively. Literature search was comprehensively conducted in search engines such as PubMed, Google scholar and online scientific electronic library from March 2020 to May 2020 in accordance with procedures formerly described by .The search was independent and solely done by selecting databases that included original articles published in peer-reviewed journals, books, thesis, dissertations,patents and other reports that covered Cannabis sativa dated until October 2020.