Marijuana provides lots of health benefits. Unlike prescription medications, it’s safe and effective. In recent years, the number of opioids prescriptions have been reduced in cannabis legalized states.
Cannabis is still illegal as per federal regulations. However, its medical use is legal in more than 30 states. To access cannabis legally from state-licensed dispensaries, you require a doctor signed medical cannabis card. The card is valid for one year from the day it is issued, and after that, you need to renew it for another year.
Marijuana use is getting popular among people of all age groups—adults and seniors. Seniors can benefit from the therapeutic properties of the herb in many ways. Read on to learn more.
How Can Seniors Benefit From Medical Marijuana?
Let’s look at some of the major illnesses, which can be treated using medical cannabis-
Pain
Pain is a common condition among seniors. In the United States, about 60-75% of people above the age of 65 have at least some persistent pain. Medical marijuana can help older adults get off pain, and promote a healthy lifestyle.
If you’re among individuals who don’t like smoking, you can try some other cannabis consumption methods. These include vaping, edibles, and oils. However, marijuana-infused creams, lotions, and rubs are also available, which you can apply directly to the affected areas to receive immediate effects.
Anxiety
Medical researchers have found that CBD (cannabidiol) is effective in reducing anxiety and improving the quality of life. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound, which doesn’t cause high effects.
Marijuana provides the ultimate relaxing effects and boosts mood & memory. This can help anxiety sufferers manage their symptoms completely.
Cannabinoids in cannabis can help in promoting sleep by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system. It’s clear that if you’re well-rested, you will not feel tired and be able to focus on work.
Cancer
Medical marijuana is effective in managing various symptoms of cancer patients, especially when they’re going through chemotherapy sessions. The herb’s therapeutic effects can help in controlling nausea and vomiting. Marinol and Cesamet are two THC-infused pills that are approved by the FDA. These pills can help cancer patients in managing nausea.
Neuropathy is another complication of chemotherapy. It involves weakness, tingling, and numbness. Medical cannabis provides ultimate relief for patients experiencing pain from neuropathy, thus improving their quality of life.
The effects of cannabis can vary depending on how you consume the cannabinoids. Smoking/vaping delivers cannabinoids to the bloodstream and provides effects quickly. When you take marijuana edibles, it may take hours to feel the effects.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from medical marijuana for managing symptoms such as depression and loss of appetite. Cannabinoids present in marijuana work by binding to the receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system. This helps in improving memory and cognitive functions.
To receive the desired benefits, patients should choose the right cannabis strains (with optimal levels of CBD and THC) for their conditions.
In conclusion, as people age, chances of occurrence of conditions such as anxiety, chronic pain, Alzheimer’s disease, etc. increase. Cannabis can help in managing symptoms of these conditions completely. Marijuana has over 100 cannabinoids, which provide amazing therapeutic benefits. When you take the cannabinoids, they bind to the receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system, thus providing relaxing effects.
However, the effects of marijuana on your body depend on how cannabinoids are delivered to the body. Smoking and vaping provide immediate effects while cannabis edibles may take hours to deliver its effects. Talk to a licensed doctor to discuss your condition and seek professional help for what’s right for your condition.
Apply for your medical cannabis card to get legal access to cannabis for medical use.