Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana among other names like hashish, ganja, bud, hemp, and weed, is derived from the female plants of the Cannabis genus, which includes three species known for their cannabinoid compounds: indica, sativa, and ruderalis. The use of marijuana, for both medicinal and recreational purposes, is an ancient practice dating back thousands of years. However, the legality of cannabis has fluctuated significantly, especially in the United States. Until the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, cannabis products enjoyed variable degrees of legality but were then classified as Schedule I substances, indicating a lack of accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, alongside drugs like heroin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). This classification severely limited research on cannabis within the U.S.
Despite these restrictions, recent years have seen a shift, with multiple states passing legislation to allow medical and even recreational use of cannabis. This change has not only made cannabis the most commonly used illicit drug in the U.S., with an estimated 22 million Americans over the age of 12 using it annually but has also increased its availability in various forms, including edibles with high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This widespread use brings to the forefront the importance of understanding the effects of cannabis, especially in medical settings such as perioperative care. The evolving legal landscape and growing consumption underscore the urgent need for research to evaluate the influence of marijuana on anesthesia and to identify gaps in knowledge for future investigation.
