With North Carolina’s GOP-controlled legislature back in full swing, a bill to legalize medical marijuana is advancing quicker than many expected. It is an indication why North Carolina may be next to legalize marijuana.
The N.C. Compassionate Care Act, sponsored by top Senate Republican and Rules Committee chair Sen. Bill Rabon, was heard in committee on Wednesday and will now head to the Senate floor where it is expected to pass.
The move comes after the bill was held up for months in Rabon’s committee last year, most likely because it lacked support from some Republicans, but things have changed.
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Program Among Strictest In Country
The bill would approve one of the strictest MMJ programs in the country if signed into law, though Rabon said they did their best
“It is my opinion that no state has done it as well as we are attempting to do it,” Rabon told colleagues prior to the committee vote. He called the bill the “tightest, best-written” cannabis legislation in any state.
What’s In It?
The bill would allow the medicinal use of cannabis for a narrow list of conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, HIV, AIDS and Crohn’s disease. Chronic pain and anxiety are not included and the bill will not decriminalize recreational cannabis.
Why It Matters
North Carolina is one of the dwindling number of U.S. states that have not approved some form of medical marijuana. And, with one of the most powerful state Republicans, Bill Rabon, leading the legalization effort, it seems the issue is no longer viewed as a political liability among conservatives, pointed out Axios Raleigh.
“All the polling that we’ve seen indicates that medical marijuana is supported across party lines,” said Dylan Watts, state Senate Republican political director, per Axios. “The issue seems to have almost been desensitized across all demographics.”
But, of course, the bill would still need to pass the House before it reaches Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who has not confirmed that he’d sign it.
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What Do Voters Want?
In a poll commissioned by the Carolina Partnership for Reform, 82% of respondents said they supported legal medical marijuana.
“At this point, it seems pretty clear that it is only a matter of time until medical marijuana and recreational marijuana use are legalized in North Carolina,” the group wrote when it recently released the results.
Floor action is expected as soon as Thursday. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R) recently told reporters that he intends to vote for the bill.
A survey shows that younger people are choosing cannabis over other substances, like alcohol.
Younger generations are growing up in unprecedented times. Concerns like the pandemic, global warming and having access to an endless stream of information have reshuffled their priorities, making them into a generation that stands apart from the rest. When it comes to cannabis, they’re also the first to grow up within a legal consumption environment.
According to a new survey, this experience has impacted their preferences for substances, as Gen Z seems to prefer cannabis over alcohol.
Conducted by New Frontier Data, the survey revealed that participants between the ages of 18 to 24 largely preferred cannabis to alcohol (69%). As participants aged up, their preference for cannabis faded, perhaps indicating how impactful legalization has been for young people and how this might impact future trends on substance consumption and marketing.
When it comes to why young people prefer cannabis over alcohol, Bloomberg quotes another survey that shows different reasons. These include the fact that cannabis provides sleep aid, an opportunity for emotional release, and also a fun activity that people can participate in. Many participants also mentioned health concerns as one of their reasons, showing the degree to which cannabis is viewed as something natural and beneficial when compared to a substance like alcohol.
Alcohol companies will certainly have to take this new understanding into account, but it’s also important for cannabis proponents and legislators to keep this information at hand, especially as cannabis continues to gain traction. Cannabis users under the age of 25 are a delicate group, having young brains that have yet to fully mature. Exposing themselves to cannabis could result in negative side effects that have yet to be evaluated by the necessary authorities.
Cannabis legislation is a slow-moving process but it’s one that society has already absorbed. It’s important for government entities to catch up and conduct the necessary research to understand cannabis, providing people with the information they need to keep themselves protected and to avoid damage in the long term.
Once the application process begins, there will be a 30-day approval time for licensure applications and a five-day approval time for program patients.
It may not seem like a big deal to the millions of Americans living in legal cannabis states, but Wednesday is huge for one state. Mississippi medical marijuana application requests start, a huge deal for the Magnolia State. And vital for medical marijuana patients and supporters. June 1 is the first day for medical marijuana patients to submit their applications for a card in the Magnolia State. Businesses will also be able to apply for licenses.
Long Time Coming
In February, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed legislation into law, making Mississippi the 37th state to legalize medical marijuana. At the time the governor said, “There is no doubt that there are individuals in our state who could do significantly better if they had access to medically prescribed doses of cannabis.” Seventy-four percent of Mississippi voters approved the medical marijuana program.
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Dropping Like Flies
At least 28 cities and a dozen counties have completely opted out of the medical marijuana program though, reported Mississippi Today, adding that the state’s health department is not keeping an official list of all the municipalities restricting cannabis businesses.
Ken Newburger, director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association, said the law itself did not include a directive for municipalities to report. At the same time, the lack of an official list should not embolden anyone to attempt to get around the system, he warned.
“If you try to open a dispensary in a city that has opted out, the local officials have every power to 1. Stop you and 2. Report you to the state,” Newburger said.
Each county’s decision to opt out only covers its unincorporated areas, meaning some cities within opt-out counties are still able to have businesses in the program. Patients who live in opt-out areas can still possess and use medical marijuana.
Meanwhile, Newburger said it will probably be late this year or early next year before patients can receive medical marijuana.
Once the application process begins, there will be a 30-day approval time for licensure applications and a five-day approval time for program patients. All applications will go through the Mississippi State Health Department and require a physician’s approval.
Licensing for medical cannabis dispensaries only will begin July 1 through the state Department of Revenue. Mississippi medical marijuana applications requests start, let’s hope they go for the patients in Magnolia State.
The study is part of a series of data that explores the impact of the pandemic since it started in 2020.
Genetic testing service 23andMe holds the DNA information of millions of people, providing a useful tool for researchers who want to learn more about different conditions. And that includes long COVID.
A new survey conducted by the genetic testing site revealed some interesting information on long COVID and the type of people that are more likely to experience it. Among their findings: women are more likely to experience long COVID, along with people who manage mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
The data was obtained from 100,000 self-reports, which makes it different than the majority of other scientific studies, which rely on data shared by government entities.
“We’re able to paint a more complete picture of the COVID experience than would be possible from just using medical records,” Dr. Stella Aslibekyan, a genetic epidemiologist for 23andme, told SF Gate.
A closer look at the study shows some risk factors for long COVID, including having a diagnosis of anxiety or depression, which can increase your risk of developing long COVID symptoms by two-fold. Preexisting conditions like cardiometabolic diseases also increased the risk of long COVID, this time by 90%.
More than half of the participants reported no difference after getting vaccinated. Those who did claimed vaccines improved their symptoms.
There was some conflicting evidence brought up by the study. While it found that women were more affected by long COVID than men, real-world data shows the opposite; men are more likely to experience long COVID and are also more likely to die from the virus.
According to the article which highlights 23andMe’s findings, this study is part of a series of data that explores the impact of the pandemic since it started in 2020. Some areas of interest mentioned include blood types and how these can affect the prognosis of the virus and the impact of genetics and COVID-19.
The cannabis and LGBTQ rights movements have been connected from the beginning, as they mutually supported reform throughout the decades. “Arguably, neither would exist as they do today if not for the other,” said Tyme Ferris, founder and CEO of cannabis brand Pantheon Collective. Here is how cananbis and LGBTA rights have intertwined.
The decades have been tumultuous for each effort. Both movements saw positive progress in the 1960s. Some states decriminalized homosexual activity, and various favorable Kennedy and Johnson-era reports on the plant were submitted. However, progress turned to regression in the 70s under the Nixon administration.
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Per the Controlled Substances Act, cannabis was listed as a Schedule I drug, considered to have maximum abuse potential but no medicinal value. This classification came “Even though the Shafer Commission, formed by Nixon, recommended decriminalizing cannabis,” said Pantheon Collective co-founder Thomas Kupiec.
The 80s were equally devastating for both movements. As the drug war raged on, HIV and AIDS impacted the gay community as it reeled from the virus. Between 1981 and 1990, over 100,000 people died from AIDS, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
As the disease ravaged the U.S., President Ronald Reagan chose not to address the issue until 1987. At the same time, he continued the Nixon-era War on Drugs, headlined by the ‘Just Say No’ campaign.
Without medical guidance, marijuana proved effective in treating various HIV and AIDS-related symptoms, including wasting syndrome, nausea, chronic pain and anxiety.
“In most places deeply touched by the AIDS crisis, there’s a nexus between marijuana reform and gay rights,” said journalist and podcaster Jay Lassiter.
Rather than pushing for cannabis access, America doubled down on punishment. Bills like 1984’s Comprehensive Crime Control Act, 1986’s Anti-Drug Abuse Act and the controversial three-strike sentencing bills were enacted.
Still, LGBTQ advocates pushed on for the rights of their community and medical cannabis access.
In 1996, the decades-long efforts of the two movements helped push California’s Proposition 215 to become the first bill to legalize medical marijuana. The bill’s co-author, Dennis Peron, had been a cannabis advocate since the 1970s after his partner used marijuana while living with AIDS.
Since then, the two movements have remained closely linked, for better or worse. Neil Lequia, founder and board president of cannabis-industry LGBTQ organization The Full Spectrum, said queer individuals are more likely to experience substance abuse and mental health issues than straight individuals.
Lequia said cannabis use “is a coping mechanism” to combat pains associated with their queer lifestyle, including bullying and family separation.
Despite the increased likelihood of use, he feels that queer people are not adequately represented in the cannabis industry.
“I see a lack of us in the industry despite being more likely to use it,” Lequia said.
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Some Notable Names Leading The Movement
Queer individuals are one of the core groups helping to advance reform in the U.S. As NORML founder Keith Stroup wrote in 2020, other influential groups included Black jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong, who helped catalyze the movement with continuous pot use despite facing arrest several times.
The jazz movement started a reform push that genuinely got underway in the 1960s. Dan Goldman, freelance writer and founder of the LGBT drug legalization organization, leGAYlize It!, said the cannabis rights movements began with gay leaders like Allen Ginsberg.
“While there was almost certainly cross-cultural pollination in cities like New Orleans in the mid-20th century between the jazz cigarette aficionados and LGBT artists, the reform movement begins with gay beat poet Allen Ginsberg and the founding of LeMar (Legalize Marijuana) in the East Village of New York City in 1964,” Goldman said.
LeMar is credited as the earliest cannabis advocacy organization, with members forming prohibition protests beginning in 1965.
In addition to Peron, Ferris said that Harvey Milk and ally Mary Jane Rathburn, aka “Brownie Mary,” helped advance the medical movement in the Bay Area.
Milk was integral in supporting legal cannabis, including the passage of the non-binding ballot initiative policy Proposition W, which aimed to decriminalize cannabis. Rathburn, for her part, sold infused brownies to AIDS patients in the Bay Area, baking dozens of brownies a day.
Lassiter cited leaders on the east coast during that period, including Malcom Gregory Scott and Dr. Doug Ward.
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Ward has been considered a leading expert in AIDS treatment for over four decades. Scott, a writer and AIDS survivor, was discharged from the Navy for being gay and then went on to help overturn restrictions against LGBTQ service members. Scott also credits cannabis with helping save him from a near-fatal AIDS-related medical issue in the 90s.
Lassiter credited AIDS patients for helping change public perceptions of medical cannabis reform.
“These activists were smart enough to basically trade on their misery to reframe the cannabis discussion, and that’s a hell of a legacy to leave behind,” Lassiter said.
Representation Matters
As cannabis consolidates, leadership at the top is becoming less diverse for women and minority groups.
Data compiled by Marijuana Business Daily in 2021 found that women cannabis executives fell from 36.8% in 2019 to 22.1% in 2021. Minority leadership declined from 28% in 2019 to 13.1% in 2021.
LGBTQ Operators Want To See Change
Renee Gagnon is a Canadian operator and the first female transgender CEO of a publicly-traded marijuana company in British Columbia, HollyWeed North Cannabis Inc. now Emerald Health Therapeutics Inc.
Gagnon, who has held five licenses to date, said her efforts were accepted as a male, but “Now I’m not quite good enough” or that “There’s a more sellable dude we can hire who ‘knows how things work.'”
Gagnon added, “Until gender equality happens, the other inequalities will lag on.”
The type of CBD, intake method, and potency will all influence your decision. These aspects should be tailored to your lifestyle preferences and desired results.
You will see goods like cannabis-oil-infused food, confectionery, patches, oils, tinctures, ointments, and more as larger corporations enter the marijuana production sector. There are more sub-types and speciality products inside each of these product categories. Cannabis or Hemp oil is one of the broadest classifications.
If you’re looking to buy hemp oils, delta-8 gummies, capsules or tea, these are some of the most crucial things to keep in mind.
Types of Hemp Edibles
Many individuals believe that Hemp oil is generic and that all cannabis-derived oils are the same. While this may have been true in the past, various kinds of cannabis oil are available. Many of these kinds are only found in certain areas.
For example, certain strains of cannabis originated in Australia, and you can get them in their purest form or as blended oil containing various types of oil derived from various strains of cannabis. Oil has the advantage of being significantly easier to transport than the plant itself. You may be confident that you will receive oil in excellent condition, whether it comes from another country or a different region of the country. Ensure you know whether you’re getting the right oil or gummies for your needs and which strain you’re getting.
Hemp source
CBD is derived from two types of cannabis: regular marijuana and hemp, a type of marijuana. The main difference between these two sources is that hemp should have less than 0.3% THC.
Cannabidiol derived from hemp is legal in the United States, while CBD derived from cannabis may not meet these requirements. All the hemp edibles made from hemp plants are safe to consume because it ensures that they contain the legal quantity of THC. However, users should check their state’s rules on edible hemp-derived products.
As per Hempercamp, a CBD and hemp products review website, hemp source and subsequent harvesting is the key to get the finest quality edibles, which are little expensive. Many consumers sometime complains of substandard products that flooded the market with cheap price.
It is wise to buy from the right dispensary or online store. Want to know how to find the best marijuana dispensaries near your place? You can take the help of Google Map and search phrases like “how to buy weed near me” or “recreational dispensaries near me” or “CBD stores near me”. The “near me” phrase helps you to get the location of the nearest dispensaries from Google.
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Buying Fresh
Hemp gummies and capsules are made with preservatives, and it does not matter if it is fresh or not but hemp oil, like any other organic product, has a shelf life after which it can no longer be used. Ideally, it would help if you bought as fresh as possible to ensure the highest possible quality. The hemp oil begins to deteriorate and distort at a microscopic level once removed. The more recent the purchase, the fewer these alterations will have occurred. Hemp oil will only last two years in storage at most. After that threshold, it is best not to continue to use it.
Best Flavors
Although the strain from which the oil is obtained has a natural flavor, many manufacturers enhance the flavor with different added substances. If you want the most natural flavor, choose something cold-pressed and containing no artificial flavors. If you are looking for CBD gummies specifically, there is a wide range of flavors available, including watermelon and mint chocolate. If you’re using tinctures or something else where the flavor is more obvious, you might want to try flavored hemp oil.
Quantity of Purchase
While buying in bulk is always cheaper, lesser quantities of hemp oil are preferable. Get a tiny quantity to test the flavor, and if you like it, purchase more. Furthermore, because the flavor and effect of the oil can change with time, you should purchase an amount that will last you no longer than 6 months. After 6 months, the substance may begin to taste and behave significantly differently, so it’s better to keep a fresh supply on hand. Other hemp products like capsules and gummies usually last longer, up to 1 or 2 years.
Best Places of Purchase
Local shops are convenient and accessible and found across the states, but that’s frequently where the benefits end. When purchasing hemp oil locally, you can rely completely on the employees’ product knowledge. This limits your research possibilities and the products you can choose from. Local stores typically carry two varieties of hemp products, which is significantly less than internet sellers. The best way to buy is online. You can do all the research and read reviews and view authentic certifications, which would only help you make the best choice.
Third-Party Lab Reports
CBD companies often subject their products to third-party testing to ensure their efficacy, authenticity, and safety. Most companies use independent labs to examine their products for hemp profiles, chemicals, heavy metals, solvents, and various other contaminants. The brands then post the findings of third-party lab tests on their websites for all to see.
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Choose premium hemp edible with a third-party lab-testing system. The results will provide you peace of mind, knowing that the creators and the analysts are willing to take responsibility. Third-party lab tests are essential for internal control, ensuring that each batch of hemp extract follows the protocols.
The Right Concentration
When deciding between different hemp oils especially, individuals look at the concentration first. Because everyone is different and reacts to CBD differently, there is no one-size-fits-all CBD dosage. Some people will benefit from dosages of as little as 5–10 mg, while others will need upwards of 50 mg. So which concentration should you choose?
Low-concentration hemp oil and products are typically chosen for micro-dosing, administering extremely small dosages of CBD throughout the day to keep endocannabinoid levels stable. People who are new to this use low-potency oils to find the proper dosage and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of their product. Low-concentration oils and products may be prohibitively expensive when using high dosages of hemp. The lower the price per milligram of hemp, the longer the product will last.
Bottom Line
When it comes to purchasing hemp oil and other edibles, research on the subject is crucial. Always double-check the hemp source, extraction procedures, third-party testing, corporate transparency, and reputation among CBD consumers. The type of CBD, intake method and potency will all influence your decision. These aspects should be tailored to your lifestyle preferences and desired results.
For the first time, researchers were able to increase the levels of THC and CBG in a cannabis plant.
Researchers from the University of Jerusalem have managed to manipulate the number of cannabinoids within a cannabis plant.
According to The Jerusalem Post, the research increased the plant’s THC level to 20%, something that could help create new strains with more medicinal power and in boosting crop yields.
The researchers were led by Professor Alexander Vainstein and managed to increase a variety of cannabinoid levels, among them THC and CBG, which were increased by 17% and 25% respectively. Researchers were also able to increase the number of terpenes — aromatic elements within the plant that are linked with euphoric and strong medicinal effects — by 20 to 30%.
Per researchers, the goal of the study was to “intervene in the biochemical pathways in the cannabis plant” in order to manipulate the production of active substances. This was achieved by manipulating a neutralized active virus in the plant. “We examined the infected plants and found that the levels of the substances in question had indeed risen,” wrote the researchers.
“These study results will be valuable both to industry, to increase the yield of active substances, and to medical researchers to cultivate and develop new strains for medical cannabis users,” recapped Vainstein.
The University of Jerusalem has done some groundbreaking work in the field of cannabis since the 1970s, including synthesizing important cannabinoids like THC, CBD and CBG.
This study marks the first time when the level of a cannabinoid was modified on a cannabis plant, something that could expand on cannabis’ medicinal capabilities. In terms of the industry as a whole, these findings could result in new business opportunities and openings for making a profit.
The Federal Government could be sued by a coalition of multi-state operators (MSOs) in the cannabis industry, reported Marijuana Moment.
The coalition says it will sue the Feds because they believe that its marijuana policies are unconstitutional.
Abner Kurtin, founder and CEO of Ascend Wellness Holdings told Marijuana Moment that this is an “industry-wide effort.” Kurtin said that Curaleaf and TerrAscend are also working closely with him.
There will be two lawsuits filed in federal district court. One will challenge the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). The plaintiffs argue that prior court rulings on the federal government’s authority over intrastate commerce should not apply to marijuana companies.
The second lawsuit will focus on Code 208E of the IRS, which impedes cannabis businesses from deducting federal taxes.
According to Kurtin, the lawsuit could have retroactive consequences and, cannabis companies could theoretically receive deductions going back years.
It seems that lawmakers in in the state for lovers aren’t spreading it for marijuana consumers. Virginia develops new way to punish cannabis consumers sends a message to locals and tourist alike. According to the proposition which came with a recently revealed two-year state budget, possession of over 4 ounces of cannabis in public would be considered a Class 3 misdemeanor, posing a fine of up to $500 plus a criminal record.
Additional offenses would be viewed as a Class 2 misdemeanor, with punishment including up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
This is the third time in 2022, that the state’s legislative leaders have come up with new crimes for cannabis possession, Richmond News writes.
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The General Assembly is scheduled to review the budget during a special session on Wednesday. The budget compromise is supported by House Appropriations Chair Barry Knight (R-Virginia Beach) and Senate Finance and Appropriations Chair Janet Howell (D-Fairfax).
In the meantime, a GOP-led House of Delegates subcommittee voted down legislation that would allow recreational marijuana sales earlier this year. Republicans promised to revisit the issue sometime next year, with mid to late 2023 being the earliest retail sales could begin.
Thailand Wants To Ban Public Transport Drivers From Using Cannabis Before Driving
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health announced several weeks ago that three types of cannabis oil had been deemed essential medicine, allowing doctors from 893 government hospitals to prescribe cannabis extract oil to patients in selected circumstances.
With the country on the verge of legalizing home cannabis cultivation on June 9, the Land Transport Department is now pushing for a law that would prohibit drivers from using marijuana before driving, reported Nation Thailand.
Officials are looking to set up cannabis regulations for public transport, said the Public Health Ministry, which previously revealed that it will push for legalization.
Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary Thongchai Keeratihatthayakon warned on Sunday that marijuana use remains illegal. In addition, the ministry also plans to work with the Consumer Protection Board on preventing the advertising of cannabis products and services.
The Southeast Asian country was the first in the region to legalize cannabis for medical use in 2018, with a provision for all households to cultivate cannabis and sell it.
North Carolina On Track To Legalize Cannabis
North Carolina, one of the six states where both medical and recreational use of cannabis is still illegal, might be the next to legalize the plant.
Senate Bill 765, introduced Monday, will advance through the general assembly again this month, Port City Daily writes.
If enacted into law, the legislation would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana or an equivalent amount in products. Those caught in possession of over 2 ounces could face a civil penalty of $25.
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The bill would also allow the cultivation of up to two mature and two immature marijuana plants for personal use at home.
The 69-page bill requires the formation of a Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Board with the mission of addressing economic disparities for families and communities affected by excessive drug enforcement. It would also set up a Cannabis Control Commission to oversee the “sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, consumption and possession” of marijuana.
In the meantime, it seems that North Carolinians would like to see cannabis legalized. Over half of the state’s voters support the legalization of marijuana for recreational use, while almost three-quarters of residents would vote for medical marijuana, as per statewide polling data from Nexstar Media Group and Emerson College.
Will Tax Cuts Fuel Growth Of California Cannabis Market?
Cannabis sales in California have yielded nearly $4 billion in marijuana tax revenue since the market’s launch in 2018.
However, for the first three months of 2022, the Golden State garnered roughly $294 million in cannabis revenue generated from the excise, cultivation and sales tax on marijuana, representing a decline from $317 million for the corresponding period of 2021, the Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) reported last week.
The legislative analysts said the decrease could be attributed to “amended and late returns and other tax return adjustments.”
Nevertheless, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) recently unveiled an updated budget proposal that would eliminate the state’s cannabis cultivation tax and revise cannabis tax revenue allocations. The revised budget plan is considered a tool to combat the state’s illicit market.
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Moreover, a recent study found that California could increase legal cannabis sales and bring in 123% more in total monthly cannabis-related tax revenue by 2024 by eliminating the cultivation tax.
While cannabis advocates warned earlier this year that cutting state cannabis taxes will have “an immediate, negative impact on thousands of children living in poverty and children of color across our state,” the state Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) highlighted in its update on Thursday, that the Newsom’s proposal “would use 2020-21 cannabis tax revenues to establish a funding target for the programs that receive those revenues.”
Detroit Grants First Recreational Marijuana License To Grower
Detroit granted a recreational marijuana business license to Doghouse Farms, over two years after the process got underway.
The grow operation situated on the city’s east side is now ready to start selling on the recreational market, reported Crain’s Detroit Business.
The business has invested approximately $4 million in a 25,000-square-foot cultivation facility. For over a year, Doghouse has been selling medical cannabis.
“A (recreational license) is the only reason we came to Detroit,” Eric Slutzky, Doghouse’s CEO told Crain’s. “The city taking this long really cut the knees out of the local market, but we had faith the city would do the right thing.”
Keep in mind that doctors are a wealth of knowledge, but medical marijuana and its benefits are a very new science and not all medical professionals are up to date with the latest developments.
It is completely understandable to have skepticism towards prescription pain medication. America’s opioid crisis continues to take record numbers of lives, while many others live quietly addicted to pain medication.
If you injure yourself or require surgery, you are likely going to experience pain. You also might want nothing to do with potentially-addictive pain medication when it is offered. Marijuana, as we have previouslyreported, can be a great alternative to opioids. But will your doctor prescribe you weed instead of painkillers?
Health care professionals can’t actually prescribe pot because the federal government still classifies marijuana as aschedule 1 drug. In other words, your doctor can’t exactly toss out your opioid prescription and write a new one for medical marijuana. Depending on the state, however, the doctor might be able to assist you in using marijuana as medical therapy for your recovery. The bigger question is, is your doctor willing to sign off on this?
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Be Honest With your Physician
There is no point in beating around the bush, or trying to deceive your doctor. They have seen it all, and can spot a liar. If you want marijuana instead of other pain medication, just plead your case.
The current opioid crisis in the country is not a secret. A physician is likely going to be far more receptive to a patient who is honest about not wanting to use opioids, but instead prefers the marijuana route. If you are afraid of the dangers of opioids, or their adverse side effects – be vocal. This won’t guarantee you a medical marijuana card, but it opens up a dialogue to alternative treatments.
Being honest about your marijuana use can also help you before a surgery and in treatment. Your doctor needs to know if you use marijuana, and if so how much. “In order to know which medicines and how much to use, your doctor needs to know ahead of time how much and how often you use marijuana,” according toHarvard.
Do Your Research
When you prepare to earn your doctor’s blessing for marijuana to ease your pain, know the facts. This is not always an easy thing to do, as medical research on marijuana continues to struggle since it is illegal on a federal level. This lack of research, in fact, is what keeps physicians and organizations from wholeheartedly embracing medical marijuana today.
TheCDC, for example, said “even though pain management is one of the most common reasons people report for using medical marijuana in the United States, there is limited evidence that marijuana works to treat most types of acute or chronic pain.” This means coming to your doctor with information, studies, and applicable reasons for your desire to use marijuana instead of other pain medication is a great way to keep your doctor from telling you “there just isn’t enough information.”
Keep in mind that doctors are a wealth of knowledge, but medical marijuana and its benefits are a very new science and not all medical professionals are up to date with the latest developments.
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Listen To Your Doctor’s Advice
At the end of the day, remember your doctor is giving you a knowledgeable opinion, and you should not brush it off. Medical opinions and treatment plans should be respected to avoid unnecessary risks. If your doctor does not support marijuana as a substitute for pain medication, take this advice seriously.
Keep in mind that if your doctor does not support your desires to use medical marijuana, you can also seek a second opinion. After all, according toNORML, more than two thirds of health clinicians believe that marijuana can be used medically.
If you find that multiple medical professionals are telling you marijuana is not the solution, you should heed their advice. After all, marijuana is not a “cure all.” Some conditions require specific treatment plans that do not involve cannabis.
