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Chemistry of the Hemp Drugs

Abstract

THE resinous exudate from the female flowers of the hemp plant (Carinabis sativa) has for centuries formed the basis of a variety of narcotics known under a host of names (charas, hashish, ganja, etc.) according to locality and mode of preparation. The hemp drugs are eaten or smoked, the effects varying somewhat accordingly. Recently the smoking of hemp under the name of marihuana has attained particular prominence in America, where strenuous efforts are being made to combat its spread. Of all the common addiction drugs, least of a scientific nature is known about Cannabis, and this despite the fact that it has quite remarkable pharmacological properties. The isolation and characterization of the active principle or principles might well prove of considerable medical importance.

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TODD, A. Chemistry of the Hemp Drugs. Nature 146, 829–830 (1940). https://doi.org/10.1038/146829a0

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