Erin Porteous
According to AARP, more than 6000 Americans turn to cannabis for help with medical conditions and pain. Cannabidiol or CBD may be beneficial for numerous health conditions in people and pets. If you’re a patient in need of medical marijuana, you’ll first have to get a medical marijuana card or recommendation from your doctor.
Studies demonstrate that there are no side effects in humans or any indications of abuse potential with the use of high-quality medical marijuana. So you’re probably wondering how medical marijuana works?
Today, medical marijuana is available in an array of products from tinctures, capsules, transdermal patches, edibles, and marijuana cigarettes.Even cannabis marketing has become a prominent thing. Medical patients needing medical marijuana will first need to get a medical marijuana card from their physician after being diagnosed with a medical condition.
What is Medical Marijuana Used For?
A recent 2017 study from the National Academies of the Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering (NASME) demonstrates that support is increasing for the use of medical marijuana for chronic pain, cancer-related nausea and vomiting, and MS-related spasticity. Cannabinoids in marijuana may be beneficial for the following:
- Reducing inflammation
- Migraines
- HIV/AIDS
- Digestive issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
“CBD is an effective anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory agent when administered locally around the joint. Successful relief of OA symptoms by peripherally administered CBD suggests a therapeutic option that has a low chance of adverse effects which is more desirable for patients,” via NCBI.
The World Health Organization explains the use of CBD for health-related issues in terms of the following:
“The range of conditions for which CBD has been assessed is diverse, consistent with its neuroprotective, antiepileptic, hypoxia-ischemia, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, and antitumor properties.”
A study about CBD on drug addiction adds that “Another possible therapeutic application which has been investigated is the use of CBD to treat drug addiction. A recent systematic review concluded that there were a limited number of preclinical studies that suggest that CBD may have therapeutic properties on opioid, cocaine, and psychostimulant addiction, and some preliminary data suggest that it may be beneficial in cannabis and tobacco addiction in humans.
However, considerably more research is required to evaluate CBD as a potential treatment,” via World Health Organization.
Studies suggest that medical marijuana may be beneficial for the following health conditions:
- Chronic Pain reliever
- May help with depression and insomnia
- May provide relief from cancer side effects including chemotherapy and radiation
- Promotes skin health by preventing sebaceous gland cells from secreting too much sebum
- May provide benefits to patients with neurological disorders
- Helps decrease inflammation
- May help prevent cognitive decline
- Proven to be beneficial for seizures
- May be beneficial for cardiac health
- May have antipsychotic effects on schizophrenic patients and patients with other mental disorders
- CBD may be beneficial in preventing tumor growth in patients with breast, colon, lung, prostate and brain cancer
- May be beneficial in diabetes prevention by reducing diabetes up to 56% and reducing associated inflammation in diabetic patients.
- Helps with sleep disorders
- Beneficial to Multiple Sclerosis patients
Keep in mind that you will need to have a medical marijuana card to purchase medical marijuana.
Which States Allow Medical Marijuana?
Medical marijuana is legal in 33 U.S states with a medical marijuana card. That said, some states only have restricted use of medical marijuana. These U.S states include:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Florida
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Kentucky
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Iowa
- Virginia
How Do You Get Medical Marijuana?
The only way to legally obtain medical marijuana is with a medical marijuana card from a physician. You’ll first need to make sure that it is legal in your state, and check to see whether your medical condition is pre-approved. Your doctor will give you a prescription or medical recommendation.
Has The FDA Approved Medical Marijuana?
The FDA explains that:
“The FDA has not approved marijuana as a safe and effective drug for any indication. The agency has, however, approved one specific drug product that contains the purified substance cannabidiol, one of more than 80 active chemicals in marijuana, for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome in patients 2 years of age and older.”
The FDA works together with the medical community to ensure patient safety, and to allow their federal partners access to experimental treatments to patients with serious medical conditions.
While the demand for medical marijuana today across the U.S is huge, it’s important to understand state laws, and to get your written recommendation, so that you can get a medical marijuana card. That said, many employers have a zero stance in their drug usage policy, even when it pertains to medical marijuana.
