"Marijuana (Cannabis) in its natural form is one of the SAFEST KNOWN SUBSTANCES THAT ACT THERAPEUTICALLY IN HUMANS [...] It would be unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious for DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance in light of the evidence in this record."

These are the conclusions and decision of the competent judge - appointed by the DEA - regarding the review of legislation on marijuana. [Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), In the Matter of Marijuana Rescheduling Petition, Docket 86-22. Opinion, Recommended Ruling, Findings of fact, Conclusions of Law and Decision of Administrative Law Judge, Sept. 6, 1988].

"Experimental evidence accumulated in the last decade supports that Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis Sativa and their derivatives, have anticancer properties. Thus, these substances inhibit proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promote apoptosis (cell death) in a wide spectrum of cancer cells in culture. Moreover, tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis are hampered by cannabinoids in mouse models. The work summarizes our current knowledge on the anticancer potential of cannabinoids in breast cancer, and suggests that cannabinoid-based medicines may be useful for the treatment of most breast tumor subtypes."

From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Complutence University of Madrid.