One plant, many controversies: Uncovering the cover of marijuana Une plante, de nombreuses controverses : levée du voiile sur la marijuana
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Abstract
ENGLISH
Background: The legalization of medical use of marijuana has generated intense debate globally, balancing between the therapeutic potential and concerns over abuse. Over the years, cannabinoids have demonstrated potentials in the treatment of certain ailments, controversies persist regarding the safety, standardization and regulatory challenges.
Objectives: This review aims to critically examine the historical perspectives of the use of marijuana, with a focus on its medicinal uses and also looking at regulatory challenges in West Africa, and specifically in Nigeria.
Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using databases. Peer-reviewed articles, policy documents were reviewed and analysed.
Results: This study revealed that while medical marijuana demonstrates clinical benefits from the beginning of mankind, policy differences contribute to the confusion and thus, hindered medical use.
Conclusion: Medical marijuana holds considerable therapeutic promise but remains controversial due to gaps in scientific evidence, ethical dilemmas, policy inconsistencies and cannaphobia.
FRENCH
Contexte: La légalisation de l'usage médical du cannabis a suscité un vif débat à l'échelle mondiale, entre potentiel thérapeutique et les préoccupations liées à l'abus. Au fil des ans, les cannabinoïdes ont démontré leur potentiel dans le traitement de certaines affections, mais des controverses persistent quant à leur innocuité, leur normalisation et les défis réglementaires.
Objectifs: Cette étude vise à examiner de manière critique les perspectives historiques de l'utilisation de la marijuana, en mettant l'accent sur ses utilisations médicinales et en examinant également les défis réglementaires en Afrique de l'Ouest, et plus particulièrement au Nigéria.
Méthodes: Une revue systématique de la littérature a été réalisée à partir de bases de données. Des articles évalués par des pairs et des documents de politique générale ont été examinés et analysés.
Résultats: Cette étude a révélé que même si la marijuana à usage médical présente des avantages cliniques depuis le début de l'humanité, les différences politiques contribuent à la confusion et entravent ainsi son utilisation médicale.
Conclusion: La marijuana à usage médical présente un potentiel thérapeutique considérable, mais reste controversée en raison des lacunes dans les preuves scientifiques, des dilemmes éthiques, des incohérences politiques et de la canna-phobie.
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