The Ministry of Health elaborated a new danger report of the effects and risks of cannabis consumption which he sent last November to all health services in the country, what makes available the last scientific evidence on this subject.
The importance of this document is that The country's health services must dispatch the Public Ministry in cases of investigation by porte, Cannabis possession and cultivation and updates the one that was in force and that was related to the old drug law of 1995.
This report was prepared by the Minister of Health Cabinet, Ximena Aguilera, and the management division of the welfare network, directed by the doctor Sergio Sánchez, who is also a medical director of the Latin America Reforma Foundation.
Recognize your therapeutic uses
One of the most relevant aspects of the report is that it includes the last recommendation of the World Health Organization (OMS) which recognized the therapeutic utility of cannabis in various pathologies.
“Cannabis has documented therapeutic uses in international medical literature for various pathologies. The World Health Organization (OMS) He has formally recognized the medicinal utility of cannabis in his 41st report, prepared by the Pharmacodependence Expert Committee. In Chile, Cannabis prescription, Cannabinoides and its derivatives is authorized under the regulatory framework of Decree No. 84/2015 of the Ministry of Health, as well as in the law 20 .000 (Articles 8 Y 50)”, Pose the text.
further, The document emphasizes that “Cannabis has recognized therapeutic utility; but nevertheless, It is also a substance with potential for abuse and ability to cause damage to the individual. Safe dosing in the medical context must be evaluated individually. In the case of non -medical use, The risks will depend on factors such as frequency, The quantity, The form of consumption, The age of onset of the use and quality of the substance used”.
Other aspects of the report
The report also makes a description of the Asian origin of cannabis and that has three sub -departure such as the sativa, Indicates and Ruderalis, Although it is the first two that are used for medicinal and recreational consumption, They contain a higher concentration of psychoactive substances called cannabinoids.
“Cannabis contains more than 500 Chemical components, including flavonoids and terpenes. By smoking it, These compounds are transformed into more than 2.000 substances. Due to the complex chemical composition of the plant, The effects produced by cannabis are varied and complex. From this complexity, It is convenient to mention the ‘entourage effect’ (entourage effect), which argues that the effects of cannabis do not come exclusively from THC, but of the sum of the interaction of various compounds (Cannabinoids, Terpenos and flavonoids). But nevertheless, Only THC is controlled by Law 20,000″, The document points.
The report also states that THC is the main responsible for the psychoactive effect of cannabis, Although the plant contains other compounds such as cannabidiol (CBD), which is a non -psychotropic constituent and is found in various fibers of the plant, and that has a sedative effect that is used medicinally.
There is also the cannabinol (CBN), minimally psychoactive compound, which is present in lower concentrations in fresh plants or as a product of the degradation of THC in stored dry plants.
“THC concentration varies according to the plant part. The glandular bracts of some leaves and the trichomes of the flowers secrete a resin sticky that mainly covers the surface of these parts, being The place with the largest concentration of THC. In contrast, The leaves, The stems and roots have minimal concentrations of THC and other cannabinoids”, holds the document.
How long does the effect last?
The report also mentions the duration of the effect, asserting that it depends on the dose and the form of consumption, as If this is inhaled, The peak of the effect is achieved between 5 a 30 minutes Y They persist between 1,5 a 2 hours, while If used orally, Peak arrives among the 30 and the 60 minutes and can be extended to 8 hours.
“The psychoactive effect produced by cannabis consumption varies according to the inhaled dose, individual susceptibility , The acquired tolerance, and the concentration of cannabinoids in plant matter. In addition to the dose and individual susceptibility, The ‘Effect’ (The interaction of the different cannabinoids and terpenes present at the plant) It also plays an important role in the variability of the effects. The terpenes,such as Mirceno or Limonene, They modulate the psychoactive effects of THC, affecting the user -perceived feeling”, holds the document.
According to the text, The threshold to produce a psychoactive effect is of or,1 Mg/kg of THC when administered by inhalation and 0,3 Mg/kg of THC orally due to liver metabolism present in this last route of administration.
Body detection
Another aspect that addresses the report is the detection of metabolites in the body, pointing out that Cannabinoids are highly liposoluble, So they have a high retention in fatty tissues, As the adipose tissue, The lungs, kidneys, liver, heart, Base, among others.
“These fabrics act as THC reservoirs, explaining the prolonged duration of its effects on the body. Thus, It is possible to detect THC levels or its metabolites in urine exams for a period that can vary from four to five days, and even up to four weeks after consumption. further, The elimination time of THC can be extended to 28 days or more in chronic consumers”, holds the document.
further, The report emphasizes that “In the case of saliva samples, THC or its metabolites may be present until 72 hours after consumption. El THC-COOH , The main metabolite of THC, It is not psychoactive and persists in blood and urine long after the effects are resolved, providing evidence of prior exposure, But without necessarily indicating recent deterioration or consumption”.
