Most are already aware of the medicinal use of hash or marijuana - it could be an appetite stimulant and a pain reliever for certain illnesses such as cancer and AIDS. Its medicinal characteristics have somewhat given this substance a good rep and this recent research would give MJ more good publicity.

In the October 2 issue of the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics, it was mentioned that the active ingredient of marijuana could be better at suppressing the abnormal clumping of malformed proteins - a characteristic of Alzheimer's Disease.

The researchers looked at hash's active ingredient- THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and they found out that THC might inhibit AChe (acetylcholinesterase) - an enzyme linked with the disease. This enzyme is a known accelerator of abnormal brain protein clump formation and it is also said that it helps break down a brain chemical linked to memory and learning.

Controlled laboratory experiments showed that marijuana's THC was better at disrupting abnormal protein clumping. But don't start singing in unison 'Puff the Magic Dragon' just yet, the researcher's don't advocate marijuana use or legalization. According to researcher Kim Janda, "we're not advocating smoking dope, but if we can make analogues of THC, it could play a role in treating Alzheimer's... It would be nice to do more animal studies along these lines."

But anything in excess is bad for anyone. It was already well researched that heavy marijuana use can cause impairment in memory and decision making.