Marijuana Kills Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Katelyn Baker

Well-Known Member
When antibiotic drugs were first discovered in 1928, they revolutionized healthcare. By the end of World War II, their production had exploded.

And then things got a little out of hand.

Today, according to an estimate from the CDC, about half of antibiotic prescriptions in the United States are totally unnecessary. The effects of that over-prescription are disastrous.

According to the World Health Organization, common bacteria are evolving against common medications to become catastrophic once again.

As a result, 2 million Americans suffer from antibiotic-resistant bacteria each year. 23,000 of those people die. That number is destined to rise as bacteria becomes more and more resistant. Bottom line — we've dug ourselves into a real hole here. If only we could come up with a way to dig ourselves out.

Oh wait, nature's already got us covered...

Cannabis: The Miracle Treatment For Antibiotic Overuse

A few years ago, British and Italian researchers discovered that marijuana — one of the world's most infamous and commonly-grown plants — has the potential to fight some of the deadliest antibiotic-resistant bacteria out there.

The researchers tested pot against six common super-bacteria, many of which are responsible for epidemic-like outbreaks around the world. In every single case, the herb was able to battle the bacteria with more efficiency than any man-made medicine. Researchers believe cannabis was actually developed by nature for this very purpose.

"Everything points towards these compounds having been evolved by the plants as antimicrobial defenses that specifically target bacterial cells," said Simon Gibbons, one of the researchers.

The cannabis was most effective when applied topically.

"What this means is, we could use fiber hemp plants that have no use as recreational drugs to cheaply and easily produce potent antibiotics," said Giovanni Appendino, another researcher involved in the study.

Will The Government Finally Listen?

Despite this and so many other studies proving just how powerful cannabis can be in the field of medicine, it is still labelled a Schedule I controlled substance along with heroin, LSD and ecstasy. According to the DEA, it has 'no currently accepted medical use.'

Of course, that's not entirely surprising since many of the medications that cannabis could replace rake in billions of dollars per year. Antibiotics alone bring in more than $40 billion U.S. annually.

Imagine the sort of disruption that would occur if that figure was drastically lowered thanks to a 'green' alternative. But time is quickly revealing that we're running out of options. Eventually, the system will need to be disrupted.

How dire are we going to allow the situation to get before we finally accept that?

Why not write your local representative or sign one of the many petitions out there to voice your opinion on the topic?


shutterstock2.jpg


News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana Kills Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Author: Brandon Austin
Contact: David Wolfe
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Website: David Wolfe
 
Back
Top Bottom