33 states have approved medical marijuana, and a growing number of medical professionals. The legalization of marijuana has been a hot topic of discussion in the community, with many people wondering what it would mean for young people with serious or chronic illnesses.
Parents must realize that legalization does not imply easier or faster access to potentially life-saving care for kids with specific medical conditions. Legalizing can add to the complexity of the situation. I want to assist in providing answers to some of the queries you might have about what to know as a medical marijuana patient.
What is Marijuana Addiction?
Cocaine and alcohol are two drugs that are more prone to lead to addiction. However, cannabis, sometimes known as marijuana, can lead to addiction. In other words, even if you would like to, you cannot quit using it. According to studies, one in ten persons who use marijuana may develop an addiction. If you utilize it before turning 18, your odds increase to 1 in 6.
Is Medical Marijuana Legal in The U.S.?
You can use the complete plant of Cannabis sativa or any of its derivatives cannot for any purpose according to U.S. federal law. On the other hand, federal law permits the use of CBD extracted from hemp plants.
THC is legal to use for medical purposes in many places. You can see the state laws regarding marijuana by federal law. Because of this, even in states where marijuana usage is legal, people may still be detained and prosecuted for possession.
Complete Guide: How To Renew Medical Marijuana Card?
What is Medical Marijuana Used For?
Researchers are looking at the potential benefits of medicinal marijuana for treating a variety of ailments, such as:
- Alzheimer’s illness
- Loss of appetite
- Cancer
- Crohn’s illness
- Illnesses as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and HIV/AIDS that impact the immune system.
- Eating problems like anorexia
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Psychoses such as schizophrenia and PTSD
- Multiple sclerosis
- Tense muscles
- Nausea
- Pain & Seizures
- Consumption syndrome (cachexia)
What If the Patient is the Caregiver in the Medical Marijuana Program?
Forms of Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana is available in many different forms, such as:
- Tablet
- The liquid
- Oil
- Powder
- Dried leaves
States differ in what and where they allow the use of medicinal marijuana. You administer the medication on your own after obtaining it. Its shape and symptoms will determine how frequently you use it.
Your experience with symptom relief and side effects will differ whichever type you use. Inhale the vaporized form to produce the fastest effects. The tablet form has the slowest onset.
Understanding: New Jersey’s Medical Cannabis Possession Laws
Can Medical Marijuana Help with Seizure Disorders?
A lot of years’ worth of preliminary data from tiny clinical trials, anecdotal tales, and laboratory investigations point to cannabidiol (CBD) as a possible seizure control agent. Because of federal limitations and restricted access to cannabidiol, research on CBD has been difficult and time-consuming.
Time and money limitations abound as well. Numerous studies conducted in recent years have demonstrated the effectiveness of plant-based CBD products in treating subsets of epileptic patients who have not responded to conventional therapy.
What Should I Know About Medical Cannabis?
You can lawfully treat the diseases with medical marijuana, depending on the state. However, suppose you have multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, AIDS, ALS, cancer, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, seizures, hepatitis C, AIDS, glaucoma, posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, or extreme nausea.
You might be able to use it in such a situation. However, scientists are unsure if it benefits all these ailments. The most convincing evidence comes from studies showing that it can be used as a pain reliever, to prevent vomiting during chemotherapy, to treat certain rare forms of epilepsy, and to reduce some MS symptoms.
How is Cannabis Regulated in the United States?
Most states now allow the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Adult recreational use of cannabis is now permitted in some states. The federal government views the usage of cannabis as prohibited.
Nonetheless, it is unlikely that patients or physicians who follow state regulations for the medical use of cannabis will face federal prosecution. Even in jurisdictions where cannabis is legal, the government usually does not control its strength, safety, or contents.
How Should I Use Cannabis?
There are several ways to consume cannabis, such as an edible tincture under the tongue, topical cream, or inhalation. The benefits of inhaling cannabis, whether through smoking it or using a heated device to vaporize dried flowers, include a quick onset and simpler dosage titration.
The drawbacks include the possibility of lung irritation leading to chronic bronchitis and the need for frequent doses due to the short duration of the therapeutic action. Outright prohibits cannabis combustion in several locations, including public housing.
The benefits of using an edible include not having to inhale anything and having a therapeutic effect lasting up to eight hours. The tricky part of using edibles is figuring out the right dosage—it usually takes an edible an hour or two to start working, so you have to start low and go slow to avoid taking too much!
A tincture is a liquid formulation applied under the tongue for faster absorption; it functions similarly to an edible but takes longer to take effect—roughly half an hour—and lasts for around four hours. Topicals are what they sound like lotions and creams to apply to irritated, uncomfortable, or itching regions. Topical medicines pose extremely few safety risks.
Many people, particularly those with social anxiety disorder, report utilizing marijuana as a coping mechanism for anxiety. At lower doses, THC seems to reduce anxiety, while at higher concentrations, it seems to increase anxiety. At every tested dosage, CBD appears to reduce anxiety.
The most typical adverse effects include nausea, tiredness, lightheadedness, dry mouth, dizziness, and drowsiness. While most negative effects are mild to moderate and pass rapidly, more serious side effects might occasionally happen. If you have any negative effects, consult a pharmacist at a medical cannabis dispensary.
