In recent years, nationally and globally there has been a shift on the many viewpoints concerning the effectiveness of cannabis. While cannabis has predominantly been associated with recreational and/or problematic use, the plant and/or its components, cannabinoids, are increasingly regarded as a viable treatment option for medical conditions, such as chronic pain, spasticity, nausea, epilepsy, anxiety, and as a potential treatment of other conditions.
The medical use of cannabis is largely driven by the discovery of the endocannabinoid system in the late eighties, pharmaceutical interests in cannabinoids, and a growth in user demand for access to medical cannabis (cannabis prescribed by a doctor). This development is mirrored in the rapidly shifting policy on the adoption of medical cannabis laws in more than 30 states in the US, as well as Australia, Canada, and several European countries. The introduction of medical cannabis into medicine is controversial and remains highly debated. There is also caution using medical cannabis as a substitute for prescription drugs due to quality evidence. Advocates argue that medical cannabis establishes an important harm reduction strategy. It also can function as a qualified substitute for prescription drugs, particularly opioids and considering the opioid-epidemic in the United States and Canada this remains the importance for the ongoing debate.
Is Medical Cannabis The “Lesser of the Two Evils?”
1) Considering recent research findings on the substitution effect of cannabis versus opioid use, cannabis has been suggested as a valuable intervention approach in battling the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States and Canada
2) The most frequent validations behind this suggestion are the substantial evidence that cannabis is effective in treating chronic pain in adults and pain management
3) Unlike opioids, cannabis has no reported deaths due to overdose
4) Using cannabis does not reduce respiratory function
The Pros - Americans overwhelmingly support the legalization of marijuana. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, 91% of Americans support legalizing marijuana. Of those, 60% say it should be legal for medical and recreational use and 31% say it should be legal for medical reasons only.
Several possible health benefits of medical marijuana have been proposed:
• Nausea: Marijuana is effective in relieving nausea and vomiting. Studies have shown that cannabis can decrease nausea caused by chemotherapy and almost eliminate vomiting
• Muscle relaxant: Marijuana can relieve the muscle tightness that is sometimes associated with multiple sclerosis and paralysis
• Appetite: Marijuana can help treat appetite loss associated with conditions like HIV/AIDS and certain types of cancers
• Chronic pain: Marijuana can relieve certain types of chronic pain, including neuropathic pain, which is caused by nerve damage
Arguments In Favor of Using Medical Marijuana Include:
• It's safer: Marijuana is safer than some other medications prescribed to treat pain. For example, some people may use it instead of opioids for pain management. Opioids are highly addictive and are typically not recommended for long-term use in treating chronic pain
• You can use it in many ways: You do not need to smoke cannabis for its benefits. Products such as cannabidiol oil (CBD), topical pain relief treatments, edibles, and other non-smoking applications are now available
• You don't need to get high: As studies continue, researchers are finding benefits in the individual compounds in cannabis. When these chemicals are isolated, such as CBD has been, they can offer treatment options without the "high" produced by the compound commonly known as THC.8
• It's natural: People have used marijuana for centuries as a natural medicinal agent with good results
The Cons - Although marijuana has many benefits, there are still some downsides.
Some of the arguments from those who oppose its use include:
• Memory: Frequent marijuana use can seriously affect your short-term memory
• Cognition: Frequent use can impair your cognitive (thinking) abilities
• Lung damage: Smoking anything, whether it's tobacco or marijuana, can damage your lung tissue. In addition, smoking marijuana could increase the risk of lung cancer
• Potential for abuse: Marijuana carries a risk of abuse and addiction
• Accidents: Marijuana use impairs driving skills and increases the risk for car collisions
• Illegal: Marijuana is illegal under federal law. The federal drug scheduling system classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), alongside heroin. This classification says that the substances have no currently accepted medicinal value
Source of Information: Various Google Searches
Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!
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