There has been a growing number of Americans sharing the same opinion on legalizing marijuana across the U.S. According to a 2018 Pew Research Center survey, six in 10 citizens, or 62 percent of the population, already accepted the medical benefits of cannabis and are supporting its nationwide legalization.

In the federal government, the survey found that 69 percent of Democrats believed marijuana use should be legal, along with 75 percent of independents.

The growing call for marijuana legalization comes amid the increasing number of studies showing the legitimate medical uses of the drug. Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two chemicals found in marijuana that have been receiving the attention in most studies due to their medicinal applications.

CBD mainly affects the brain, while THC is known for its pain-relieving properties. These two chemicals have been proven in multiple studies to be delivering benefits to the body.

To know more about the health effects of marijuana, check out its surprising medical benefits below:

1. Reverses cancer effects of tobacco and improves lungs

A 2012 study of more than 5,100 young adults showed that participants who smoked marijuana had increased functions and capacity in their lungs compared to tobacco smokers who lost lung function over time. The research followed all participants for 20 years, according to Lifehack.

2. Slows down or stops cancer

Another research found that CBD has the ability to stop cancer by turning off a cancer-linked gene, called Id-1. In the 2007 study, the marijuana chemical decreased the Id-1 in breast cancer cells, which led to less aggressive cancer spread.

The American Association for Cancer Research also reported that marijuana actually works to slow down tumor growth in the brain, breasts and lungs.

3. Prevents Alzheimer’s disease progression

The other cannabis chemical, THC, was found in 2006 to be slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. THC blocks and delays the production of amyloid plaques linked to death of brain cells that then causes Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Treats Glaucoma

Marijuana’s effects also include glaucoma treatment. The drug reduces the pressure inside the eye, which could injure the optic nerve and cause loss of vision.

5. Relieves Arthritis

Researchers found in 2011 that marijuana could promote sleep and reduce pain and inflammation, which may help relieve symptoms for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

In the study, the cannabinoid-based pain-relieving medicine, Sativex, helped patients feel less pain and sleep better just two weeks after taking the drug.

6. Helps in Hepatitis C treatment

The effects of smoking marijuana could also reduce the side effects of treating Hepatitis C infection, such as fatigue, nausea, muscle pains, loss of appetite and depression. A study showed that cannabis increases the effectiveness of Hepatitis C treatments by reducing viral levels.

7. Helps in stroke recovery

Previous research suggested that cannabis may help protect the brain from damage caused by a stroke. The drug was found helping reduce the size of the area in the brain affected by the stroke.

8. Protects the brain from concussion or trauma

Marijuana helps the brain recover after a concussion or other traumatic injury. Scientists discovered that the drug reduced the bruising of the brain and accelerated the healing mechanisms in patients after a traumatic injury.

9. Treats chronic pain

Chemicals found in cannabis can be an effective treatment for chronic pain. A new report shows that many people suffering from such condition have been requesting medical marijuana due to its positive effects to the body.

10. Helps treat inflammatory bowel diseases

Marijuana can help treat inflammatory bowel diseases, like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. THC and cannabidiol have been found to be capable of interacting with cells in the body that play a key role in gut function and immune responses.

The cannabinoids tend to block some compounds in the body that increase the permeability of the intestines, allowing bacteria in.