Medical marijuana is one of those few topics which can stir strong emotions among doctors, scientists, researchers, policymakers, and the public. Many questions remain mysterious such as
- Is it safe for use?
- Should it be made legal?
- Should it be decriminalized?
- For what conditions should it be used?
- Does it cause addiction?
- How can it be kept away from teenagers?
Marijuana is legal in many parts of the USA and many countries in the world. Medical marijuana is not a part of the agenda of major political parties as well. About 85% of Americans with the likes of popular figures such as Rick Simpson support medical marijuana.
The extract from the hemp plant known as cannabidiol (CBD) is less controversial as it has fewer intoxicating properties. Patients have reported about the benefits of CBD such as relief from insomnia, anxiety, spasms, and pain to life-threatening conditions such as epilepsy. Childhood epilepsy called Dravet syndrome is controlled by a CBD-dominant strain of marijuana known as Charlotte’s Web.
In the United States, pain control is the biggest reason for the use of medical marijuana. People like Rick Simpson, who supports medical marijuana, find it to be safer than opiates due to no chances of overdose and is less addictive. It can be a replacement for Advil or Aleve for people who have issues related to the kidneys, ulcers or GERD.
It eases the pain of multiple sclerosis. Opiates can be highly sedating. Hence, patients with nerve related issues, claim that marijuana does not hamper any activities. Marijuana, as claimed by people like Rick Simpson, is a good muscle relaxant and reduce tremors caused by Parkinson’s disease. Fibromyalgia, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, which may cause chronic pain, is reduced as well. It can be used for nausea, weight loss, and glaucoma. Use of medical marijuana for PTSD in veterans is a promising area of research as well. It helps in relieving from pain from wasting syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and Crohn’s disease. Rick Simpson claims that if treated with caution, medical marijuana can be useful for many chronic problems.
Generally, patients feel embarrassed to bring up medical marijuana with their doctor as the medical community has always been overly dismissive about the issue. Many patients who might already be using medical marijuana can’t reveal it to their doctors due to fear of being criticized. People like Rick Simpson suggest that patients should be honest with their doctors so that they share information about it.
Doctors may have a pro, neutral, or against view about medical marijuana, but they should first understand the various benefits and risks of medical marijuana. They should keep an open mind and should not be overly judgmental as this will drive patients to seek information from less reliable sources of information. Patients will continue to use it without revealing. A lot of complaints are received from doctors that there is a lack of substantial evidence to recommend or prescribe medical marijuana. But instead of distrusting it from the start, it is better to continue the study and research for the betterment of mankind.
