Dr. Noah Minskoff on Most Common Questions Regarding Medical Cannabis | Palo Alto, CA
Medical marijuana has become both legal and popular in many states in recent years. Yet many people out there don’t understand what medical marijuana is or how it works. This article is going to take a moment to discuss the essentials of medical marijuana and hopefully address any lingering questions readers have on the subject.
What is Medical Marijuana?
Medical marijuana is a term applied when doctors prescribe cannabis for a medical condition. Usually, it is used for chronic pain patients, though a few other conditions may result in this treatment.
Currently, medical marijuana is legal in thirty-seven out of fifty states. Given the rise in popularity, the remaining states may follow suit in the future. It is also worth noting that medical marijuana is the same product as those used recreationally. The most significant difference is the classification of use.
What Conditions Can It Be Used For?
As mentioned above, there are various conditions that medical cannabis can help. Cannabis is known for helping with appetite loss, nausea, pain, and seizures, making it the ideal treatment for a host of conditions. These conditions include Alzheimer’s, chronic pain and inflammation, Chrohn’s disease, epilepsy, glaucoma, and multiple sclerosis.
What Are the Side Effects?
The side effects of cannabis are slightly dependent on the form one takes it in. However, typical side effects tend to arise when one uses over a certain quantity. The most common side effects include slowed reaction time, sleepiness/drowsiness, increased heart rate, memory issues, disorientation, and dry mouth.
What Forms Does It Come In?
Medical cannabis can be consumed in many forms, with each option having a different set of pros and cons. One could opt to purchase edibles, topical vapors, tinctures, patches, beverages, plus more common staples such as smokable forms.
The variety of options available is an essential part of accessibility for medical marijuana. Many patients cannot smoke for safety reasons, and thus having a more approachable means (such as edibles) is beneficial to their health.
Is It Addictive?
One of the most common questions asked regarding medical cannabis is whether or not it is addictive. On the whole, cannabis is not considered to be an addictive substance. As such, it is deemed to be safe for long-term use.
Article originally published on DrNoahMinskoff.com
