Marinol is a form of medical marijuana. It is a synthetic version of the delta-9-THC compound, which occurs naturally in the cannabis plant.
Marinol is prescribed as an appetite stimulant for people who have severe symptoms of appetite loss, nausea and vomiting, caused by conditions such as AIDS and cancer, as well as by treatment of these conditions.
Medical marijuana is controversial because recreational marijuana has been a controlled drug for many years. For this reason, Marinol is only prescribed to people who have severe conditions, and who have not responded adequately to other treatments for their symptoms.
People who take Marinol may experience some of the pleasurable effects of regular recreational marijuana, including elation and euphoria, as well as some of the unpleasant effects, including paranoia and unusual thoughts, upset stomach, and drowsiness.
