Medical marijuana can be an effective treatment for a variety of health conditions, from Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and epilepsy to PTSD and all forms of cancer. Eligibility for the use of medical marijuana and how and where you can purchase it varies by state.
Medical marijuana is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, which contains more than 100 active compounds, including the better-known delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the primary ingredient that causes the “high” that goes along with marijuana consumption. Medical marijuana, however, contains CBD-dominant strains that have little or no THC, so patients don’t experience the intoxicating properties and psychological effects associated with marijuana.
Who Can Use Medical Marijuana?
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of cannabis as a treatment for all medical conditions, it has approved low THC marijuana for some medical purposes under the Compassionate Use Program (CUP).
It is essential to check your state’s regulations if you are considering marijuana for medical use because state laws vary in which conditions can receive medical marijuana treatment.
When Is Medical Marijuana Appropriate?
Medical marijuana is used to ease symptoms caused by certain medical conditions. In the United States, the most common use of medical marijuana is to relieve pain associated with chronic medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis and nerve pain. Along with relieving pain, there are many other reported benefits of CBD, such as relieving anxiety, insomnia, and spasticity. CBD has also been found to be an effective treatment for some potentially life-threatening conditions, such as epilepsy.
One of the main benefits of medical marijuana to treat chronic health conditions is that it is safer and much less addictive than opiate medications, which can also be highly sedating. Many patients report that medical marijuana enables them to resume their normal day-to-day activities much better than with other types of pain medications. Medical marijuana is also unlikely to cause gastric problems that can be caused by some NSAIDs.
What Conditions are Treated with Medical Marijuana?
Depending on which state you are in, you may qualify for treatment with medical marijuana if you meet certain requirements and have a qualifying condition, which can include:
- Epilepsy
- Seizure disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spasticity
- Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Cancer
- Autism
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Dementia
- Nerve damage (neuropathy)
How To Take Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana is available in a variety of forms, including:
- Pill
- Liquid
- Oil
- Powder
- Dried leaves
How and where you obtain medical marijuana varies by state. For instance, Texas’s CompassionateUse Program allows certain CUP registered physicians to prescribe low THC marijuana for medical purposes if it is deemed beneficial to the patient and if they have a qualifying medical condition. This means that all parts of the plant and any resulting compounds, salts, resins, oils, and derivatives must contain no more than 1% by weight of THC.
Medical marijuana use is limited to swallowing, not smoking, and the prescribed dose of low-THC, which patients administer themselves. The frequency of use will depend on its form, the medical condition, and the severity of symptoms.
Once a prescription has been approved, it is sent to a licensed medical marijuana dispensary via the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT) program. Identification, along with other information, is required when collecting the prescription.
Symptom relief and side effects will vary based on which type of medical marijuana you are using. Typically, the quickest effects occur with inhalation of the vaporized form, while medical marijuana provides the slowest onset of relief in pill form.
Texas Medical Marijuana
If you have a qualifying medical condition and would like to find out if medical marijuana could bring you much-needed relief, contact TX Cann MD. We can evaluate your condition, see if you qualify, and get you a prescription on the same day, upon approval.
For more information, or to book a consultation, text TX Cann MD at (512) 601-5926 or you can request an appointment online.
