Article: TOXICOLOGICAL AND MEDICOLEGAL ASPECTS OF VIJAYA (CANNABIS SATIVA LINN.): A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.10013

Pages: 7-10

Author: Shilpa *

Abstract: Vijaya is botanically Cannabis sativa Linn. belonging to the family cannabinaceae.  It is commonly known as bhanga, cannabis, Indian hemp and marijuana. The Ayurvedic text Ras Tarangini has included Vijaya among eleven Upavisas, a group of drugs which are not so lethal but produce toxic symptoms on consumption or administration. Schedule-E (1) of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 has included Cannabis sativa in the list of poisonous plants under the Ayurvedicsystem of medicine. The Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 includes cannabis among narcotic drugs and natural drugs of abuse. Also the main active chemical component of cannabis i.e. tetrahydrocannabinol has been included among the list of psychotropic substances in The Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act. Cannabis is reported to be the most commonly abused illicit substance globally. Thus it is necessary to obtain information on the toxicological and medicolegal aspects ofCannabis sativa. The present article reviews the properties, toxic constituents, mode of action, toxic signs and symptoms, and management of Vijaya poisoning as per Ayurvedic and contemporary point of view. Also a review of its medicolegal aspects is presented. This presentation aims to provide the information which will help in treating and counsel the patients of cannabis poisoning.

Keyword: Vijaya, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis poisoning, medicolegal aspects