Medical Marijuana And The Elderly: What's In and What's Out?

Medical Cannabis for the Elderly - Here are the Rules from CannabisNet on Vimeo.

With the reforms experienced in the use of marijuana, and changes in marijuana dispensaries, much was expected to be accomplished especially on medical marijuana for the seniors. However, this has been the most reluctant group to embrace marijuana for any use including for medical reasons. Actually, were it not for their continued opposition in the past, may be recreational marijuana would still be legal in search places like California. So, what has been the big deal? Apparently, most the elderly people don’t have a lot of information concerning cannabis especially for the very reason that it has medicinal value. As a result of this, their life quality has not taken advantage of this magical herb that has been widely accepted in about half of the states in US. The reason behind their slow move towards accepting marijuana is due to some misconceptions that exist in the society. These seem to have affected the senior citizens by far.

Having realized what has hampered the advancement of medical marijuana amongst the seniors, maybe it is time to make several clarifications. What is in and what is out concerning the issue of medical marijuana? It is important to let the elderly know the facts, what products are available for use and the help they carry. In an effort to define all matters connected to marijuana, discussing benefits alongside the risks involved would be very important. More than that, the senior citizens should be given realistic outcomes and expectations, information about dosages and various ways in which cannabis could be used. Ideally, medical cannabis is available in such forms s liquid tinctures, edibles, smoking products and topical ointments. Here are important things to note concerning medical marijuana.

Safety Issues: The safety of medical marijuana has been one of the biggest concerns among the elderly. However, it should good news to them to know that medical cannabis is safer than conventional prescription drugs. Ideally, elderly people take the latter on a day-to-day basis, something that has produced a lot of side effects on their body. While conventional drugs have a potential to kill when abused, an overdose of marijuana is unlikely to experience that. Actually, there is no single case of anyone who has ever died of a marijuana overdose. That is a fact.

A study that went on for 30 years found out that an individual with a weight of 140 Ib could take more than 4 Ib of cannabis in a single sitting to get to toxic levels and yet not have a fatal experience. Actually, the powerful marijuana anti-oxidants effects can offer relief for quite a number of disorders that include the inflammation of liver from Hepatitis C, irritable bowel syndrome, lupus and several other acute health complications that involve oxidative and inflammation harm.

Addiction Concerns: cannabis is not physically addictive and that is why the elderly can confidently use medical marijuana. Discontinuing cannabis use has almost the same response to quitting the taking of coffee. Those searching solutions for chronic pain, stress and anxiety have used medical marijuana on a daily basis successfully without getting addicted.

MARIJUANA FOR OXY

Prescription drugs versus medical marijuana: On the basis of offering medication, marijuana can be a great alternative to prescription drugs. Conventional drugs begin with side effects that get fixed with the second dose of the same drug. However, the healing properties of cannabis address different conditions such as digestive disorders, chronic pain, insomnia, cognitive awareness, high blood pressure, inflamed joints and so on. Additionally, the drug has an ability to accentuate the effect of most of the widely prescribed drugs such as opiate-based prescriptions for pain.

MARIJUANA STRAIN GUIDE FOR THE ELDERLY

Variety: Yes, marijuana comes in different stains. Each plant has its own characteristics and effects. Some of the marijuana strains are very useful in dealing with chronic pain while others make an individual feel very energized and focused. Others will make somebody relax and enhance a good night of sleep. The main marijuana strains are Indica and Sativa. It is important for seniors to know the effect they want because a wrong choice may bring unanticipated effects.

Getting High: Some of the seniors have largely confessed that they can consider using medical marijuana if it doesn’t get them high. While it is possible to get high, there are potent CBD genetic marijuana strains that have a little negligible psychoactive effect. Cannabidiol is good for easing pain, stimulating bone growth, reducing anxiety, increasing mental focus and suppressing muscular spasms. It is possible to have liquid marijuana extracts that don’t produce “high” effects.

You don’t have to smoke marijuana: some seniors think that the only way of taking cannabis is by way of smoking. Well, that is not true. There are lots of other options including baked products, honey and candies among others. Weed can be added to almost any of the regular recipes in the form of cannabis infused oils or butters. This paves way to various choices for your medicine.

NEUROPATHY AND MARIJUANA

Mitigating pain from arthritis and neuropathy: Ointments that are infused with cannabis can be very useful for arthritis and neuropathy patients. They help deal with muscles, back pain and sore joints. They are very efficient and carry a good scent. Most importantly, you don’t get high and therefore, the product can be used throughout the day.

Marijuana Causing Brain Damage and lowering IQ? Absolutely not. The intelligence of any marijuana user cannot be tampered with. Over the years, no case has ever been documented as proof that cannabis damages human brain. Actually, research conducted among Parkinson’s patients show that cannabis slowly enhances new neural pathways helping those with impaired functions of the brain to potentially stop further degeneration and even enhance functioning of the brain.

Basically, medical marijuana has a lot to offer to the aging population than has been believed in the past. Most of the stories going around this group of people are myths and a lot of education is need for them to take advantage of marijuana benefits. The senior citizens need medical marijuana more than anyone else.