Abstract

Medicinal hemp or Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) is one of the earliest herbs widely used in traditional medicine by human beings for millions of years. This species was originally thought to be endemic to Asian countries but has now grown worldwide. It is a dioecious and annual plant that belongs to the Cannabaceae family. It has a long history of cultivation for food, intoxicants, hemp medicine, rope, paper, fiber, and oil extraction. Due to its diverse therapeutic properties, it is legalized in over 50 countries and cultivated as a medicinal and recreational crop. This review was aimed at collecting information about medicinal cannabis, ranging from traditional use to commercial utilization. This review article is based on gathering scientific literature from Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, Taylor Francis, and Springer with 119 documents, including original articles, review articles, books, and thesis from 1973 to 2024. So far, more than 500 phytochemicals have been identified. Phytocannabinoids are thought to be the main bioactive ingredients that produce therapeutic benefits. These are mostly produced or synthesized in secretary cells located inside of glandular trichomes that are found in the female inflorescence or flowers of hemp crop. Cannabidiol (CBD) has strong therapeutic potential and is used to cure many fatal diseases. A thorough understanding of the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of medicinal hemp is vital for tailoring treatment approaches and minimizing adverse effects. The effect and severity of Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are determined by the route of application and their dose. It can be concluded that much of the work needs to be done for the validation of ethnobotanical claims by conducting detailed studies on exploring various phytocannabinoids regarding medicinal use through in vitro and in vivo activities and the way forward for its commercial utilization.

Keywords: Phytocannabinoids, Cannabis sativa L, Medicinal hemp, Cannabidiol (CBD), Terpenoids, Trichomes