Medical marijuana is a hotly debated subject among scientists, doctors, policymakers, and researchers who keep discussing its legality and medicinal uses as well as concerns about its safe use for treating some diseases and medical conditions. The question about decriminalizing the use of marijuana also keeps coming up time and again. Again, some groups are skeptical about the medical benefits of marijuana and keep raising questions that add to the confusion. Some even go to the extent to highlight that the medicinal uses of marijuana are just a ploy to cast the net of legalization wide across all the spheres of its application, which can only increase its abuse.
Putting aside the debate, let us try to concentrate on two key questions – how patients can discuss the use of marijuana with doctors, and why do they find it useful.
Uses of medical marijuana
Doctors who will prescribe medical marijuana in Ontario will do it for the specific purpose of pain management in patients who experience chronic pain from certain conditions. The point to note is that marijuana is not effective for treating severe pain but works well for chronic pain. Millions of people experience chronic pain as they age for whom marijuana may be the drug that can make them forget the pain.
Marijuana is a safer choice than opiates in that it is far less addictive, and there is no fear of overdose. Doctors can safely use it as a substitute for Aleve or Advil, the popular NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for people who suffer from its side effect that manifests in the form of GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) which is a type of digestive disorder.
Marijuana relieves pain arising from the neurological disorder as well as pain from multiple sclerosis. Doctors choose marijuana over other drugs like Lyrica and Neurontin, which are highly sedating and cause lingering drowsiness that hinders normal lifestyle.
Those suffering from Parkinson's disease can benefit from marijuana as it reduces the tremors, and it is also a fantastic muscle relaxant. Managing weight loss and nausea with marijuana is an option as also using it for the treatment of glaucoma.
Which marijuana to use?
Marijuana is available in wide varieties, and the difference arises from the strains of cannabis that it contains and its concentration. Although marijuana does not have intoxicating properties, it gives a ‘high’ like many other recreational drugs that are illegal and banned in many states. THC is the notorious strain which, when present in high quantity, gives ‘high.'
Medical marijuana obtained from the hemp plant, known as CBD or Cannabidiol, has the least THC content and hence no chances of giving ‘high.' Consuming medical marijuana does not alter the conditions of the brain, as found in studies and even reported by users.
To know if medical marijuana is good for you or whether you need it at all, talk to your doctor without feeling embarrassed because learning from those who know the subject well is the only way to gather authentic information that helps in making a well-informed decision.
