On the possible prospects for the use of cannabis for medical purposes

The use of cannabis as a therapeutic agent in medical practice in the Russian Federation is one of the current and discussed issues. Cannabis is the tops of the eponymous plant of the genus cannabis (Cannabis sp.) with flowers or fruits (with the exception of seeds and leaves, if they are not accompanied by tops), from which resin has not been extracted, no matter what name they are designated, as well as other products from this plant. More than 400 different chemical compounds have been found in the chemical composition of the above-ground part of cannabis, of which 61 are cannabinoids. Among cannabinoids the most studied are tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol and cannabinol. In Russia, the use of cannabis as a medicine is not currently permitted due to governmental and industrial prohibitions, which limits clinical research to determine the safety and effectiveness of its use in medical practice. At the same time, a number of countries have legalized the use of cannabis for medical purposes. Cannabis-based prescription medications (dronabinol, nabiximols, nabilon, epidiolex) are known to be used abroad to treat various medical conditions. The issue of the use of cannabis for medical purposes on the territory of the Russian Federation requires further elaboration, taking into account the legal and regulatory framework.