Mechoulam is cool everything and imma let you finish .... but O'Shaughnessy was doing that research 100 years earlier.
Israel's Raphael Mechoulam is well regarded as the grandfather of medicinal cannabis. He is credited with the discovery of delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or more commonly known as THC. His work has led to the discovery of the endo-cannabinoid system and the bodies natural cannabinoid receptors. I believe it is also his work that has lead to the acknowledgement of the human created cannabinoid, Anandamide.
However,and in all fairness, the real GrandFather of Medicinal Cannabis is none other than Limerick's Sir William Brooke O'Shaughnessy,
who had served, for a number of years, as the health Chief of Ireland. Prior to that, he had been stationed in Calcutta. There, he observed the effects of cannabis by the population and it's use in maintaining health. India has since ancient times been known to utilize all healing herbs, including cannabis as part of what's known as Ayurvedic medicine. Hindus believe there's a spiritual property to cannabis and that it actually has a spirit associated with it's use.
While O'Shaughnessy was there he had in his care, an Indian couple whose daughter had suffered from severe epileptic seizures. He himself had witnessed, first hand, the medicinal use of cannabis to treat her. He also is recorded as having conducted a number of experiments with animals and using cannabis tinctures, including his own pet dog, who had come down with some illness while with him there in Asia. It was also reported that he had similarly and successfully treated himself, during this time spent there.
His writings regarding this subject can be found here. Sir William Boorke O'Shaughnessy's Published work on Cannabis
To me, what's most amazing about the story is that we act like he didn't exist or that his findings weren't very public when they absolutely were. He even published a book in 1850 titled "On the preparations of the Indian hemp, or gunjah, (Cannabis Indica) their effects on the animal system in health, and their utility in the treatment of tetanus and other convulsive disorders by O'Shaughnessy, William B. (William Brooke), Sir, 1809-1902
In light of this, it makes me exceedingly angry to hear it reported that the use of cannabis is novel and dangerously surprising, when in fact it's well documented as being one of the oldest sources of food and medicine known to us humans. All use is medicinal and the prohibition of cannabis should not be tolerated.
more on Sir William Brooke O'Shaugnessy
