Cannabis appears to have replaced the post-work drink for a significant portion of those living in legal marijuana jurisdictions.
Canadians like to drink. A 2017 World Health Organization report found that Canadians 15 years or older drank 10 liters of pure alcohol per capita in 2016, which is 3.6 liters more than the world average. The United States wasn’t far behind, consuming 9.3 liters per capita, and Lithuania far outpaced the competition, with a stunning 18.2 liters of pure alcohol per capita.
Pure alcohol is rather vague, so let’s get more specific. According to Beer Canada statistics, the average Canadian of legal drinking age consumed 210 cans of beer in 2018. That’s a lot of beer, especially when you consider 20% of the country abstains from alcohol consumption. However, the figure represented a 1.2% decrease from 2017, Beer Canada said, and national beer sales declined by 0.3% as well.
Those are small numbers, but they underline an important trend highlighted in a new Cowen and Co. industry report that could eventually make its way to the U.S.. In Canada’s first year of legal adult-use cannabis, domestic beer sales experienced their worst decline in six years. Domestic beer volume fell 3.9%, which is worse than the national beer volume fall at 3.0%.
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This indicates a new lifestyle trend emerging in both Canada and legal cannabis states in America — weed on the weekday, beer and booze on the weekend. As Cowen analysts call it, consumers are also chasing a better “buzz for your buck.” Cheap beer used to serve as an easy way to wind down after a long day at work. Have a couple brews, don’t get that drunk, and relax.
Cannabis appears to have replaced that lifestyle function for a significant portion of those living in legal marijuana jurisdictions. Cowen analysts emphasized that serious downturns in beer consumption and sales will only continue in Canada, as many provinces roll out more marijuana products such as vaporizers, edibles, and tinctures in the coming year.
Proof of these trends exist in legal marijuana states in America, too. A 2019 report from the Distilled Spirits Council reported that per capita beer sales declined between 2.3 to 3.6% in legal marijuana states Colorado, Washington, and Oregon following adult-use cannabis legalization. While federal marijuana legalization remains at least several years away, we should likely expect similar trends to continue in the United States when that occurs.
Following the chaos of the recreational weed rollout, the government is trying to figure out next steps. But it seems legal marijuana has been handed a nothing burger from NY state with their last rollout for potential cannabis retailers.. With an estimated $3.5 billion in sales at stake along with tax revenue for the state’s every growing budget, the fumble is costly for a significant number of players. And it has been a huge loss for the marijuana industry as a whole.
What was quickly seen as an opportunity was pounced on in the city with the most billionaires globally along with endless big and small entrepreneurs, and hustlers. Seeing a huge amount of cash on the table, players acted in a quickly in a way bureaucrats will never understand.
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Embracing a Wild West approach, officials decriminalizated and fumbled licensed legalization of sales. Despite promises and initial outlines where existing medical marijuana dispensaries could switch to recreational and a fair, for government quick liscnese process, the state tossed it all in one stroke. In a vision of equity, officials decided to reserve the first retail licenses for felons and other “justice-involved” individuals. Lawsuits started, the desired licensees struggled to raise capital and over 1,600 unlicensed retail stores opened in NYC. For the small time players, they have set sidewalk card tables parks, selling roll-ups and handmade marijuana edibles, in full view of the police.
The updated systems was rolled out, but has left people confused, dispirited, and disappointed. The Office of Cannabis Management rolled out the previous Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries (CAURD) program with high hopes. Now, regulators voted to allow the state’s medical marijuana operators to apply for adult-use retail licenses. Multistate operators who have patiently acquired a majority of the state’s 10 registered organization.
“It was more like an orgy of minimalism. While they are getting ready to open the application window on October 4th (notably, originally it wasn’t intended to be a 60-day window, but rolling applications) for most license types (sans on-site consumption and delivery), they refused to address the CAURD program. Other than to suggest that it remains “a priority”, they have offered only some subtle hints in the guidance to the regulations. These include establishing a priority for retail applications which include secured real estate, which will be given priority after the initial 30-days of the 60-day application window have passed (although they do not define what that means). And noting that existing licensees may apply for an additional license so long as they comply with the rules of a two-tier system. The positive news is that these statements can be interpreted as an invitation to current CAURD licensees, many of whom will also meet other Social and Economic Equity (SEE) criteria entitling them to an additional priority.” shares Andrew Cooper, partner at Falcon Rappaport & Berkman LLP, one of the top cannabis law firms.
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Unfortunately, there are multiple losers in the state’s unique approach. One is consumer and medical marijuana patients, including veterans. The unlicensed dispensaries are making a mint and overcharging customers due to high demand. Small investors and companies, including those who could be a player in the CAURD, will not have the financial to compete with multi-state and large players. And taxpayers will lose out for years to come as revue it lost to unlicensed dispensaries.
The good news, consumers will continue to find products easily over the next few years. There is even a thriving unlicensed dispensary a few blocks from City Hall.
Studies show cannabis increases the senses…but does it increase desire?
Does marijuana increase desire? Cannabis has been identified to have sexually stimulating effects and can intensify sexual experiences Some believe the herb puts them deeper in the moment and allows the overall sexual experience to become more enjoyable, while others are of the opinion that this perceived enhancement is nothing more than a stoned illusion.
A CNN piece on the subject from licensed couples therapist Ian Kerner indicates that it’s more likely it plays a positive roll in the bedroom. Scientific minds are still unsure how marijuana might boost libido, some sex professionals believe the answer is as simple as marijuana giving a person the ability to calm down and get out of their heads.
“People who use marijuana may have more sex because they put less pressure on themselves when they are high, so they don’t have the same performance anxiety as those who are sober,” Amanda Pasciucco, a Connecticut sex therapist, told the news source. “A small amount of marijuana may also help increase your ability to communicate your preferences to your partner.”
Others believe there is a more biological reason behind weed’s ability to put people in the mood for love – and it begins with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Because these receptors control pleasure, pain, and relaxation, it makes sense that cannabis would open the door to increased sexual desire, says Peter Barsoom, founder of cannabis company 1906. “This effect can make sex feel even more enjoyable.”
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“Cannabis has been used as an aphrodisiac in many cultures for centuries. In India, it was used as far back as the seventh century,” Barsoom explained. “Its use for sexual health was documented in Chinese texts, amongst Germanic tribes and by many African cultures.”
But this sexual enrichment does not come from getting completely wrecked on high-powered strains. In fact, most experts recommend that couples experiment with low doses of cannabis in order to get the most of the belly grinding experience. But these same professionals caution the use of cannabis edibles for first time users “because you can overshoot…and have an uncomfortable experience,” explains sexologist Nick Karras, author of The Passionate High: A Guide to Using Cannabis For Better Sex and Creativity.
intimacy is the glue of all important relationships and desire helps people bond in an even closer way. Marijuana can be a tool to bringing more long term success into the mix.
Ultimately, seasonal affective disorder can set in as quickly and seamlessly as the fall foliage on the trees outside.
The weather and foliage on the trees aren’t the only things that are changing around this time of year. As the sun starts to set earlier and earlier, peoples moods can be affected by the decrease in sunlight. This is often known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and it can make the winter months miserable for lots of people. Can cannabis help seasonal depression?
Fortunately for those that do suffer from SAD, there are numerous remedies that can make this time of year more bearable. Exercise, vitamin supplements and even marijuana can have an enormous impact on fighting against the disorder. While there are resources for offsetting the disorder, getting a full understanding of the problem is paramount in being able to overcome it.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms
One of the most crucial steps in combating SAD is properly identifying its symptoms. Some of those symptoms include:
Those who are suffering from any of these symptoms should refrain from self-diagnosis and seek professional assistance. That professional assistance could lead to more resources to fight the disorder such as an antidepressant prescription.
How Common is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
In recent years, more and more people who suffer from seasonal affective disorder have begun opening up about their struggles. An estimated 10 million Americans are said to be currently dealing from SAD. Additional research shows women are four times more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder than men. SAD also appears to be more prevalent among people with pre-existing mental health conditions like bipolar disorder.
The number of people across the globe who suffer from seasonal depression is slightly lower than that of the United States. Only about 1-2% of the global population is said to suffer from seasonal depression while about 5% of the U.S population suffers from SAD.
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How to Fight Seasonal Affective Disorder
There are a number of proven ways to offset some of the sadness that comes with the changing of the seasons. For example, cannabis contains cannabinoids that can have a positive impact on mood, while potentially increasing serotonin levels. When it comes to decreasing anxiety levels, that’s where CBD comes into play. By working with our body’s endocannabinoid system, CBD has been seen as instrumental in boosting dopamine levels.
Aside from cannabis, there are a handful of other at-home methods that can help alleviate the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Spending more time with friends, family and loved ones can be highly effective in offsetting some SAD symptoms. The same can be said for making an effort to get lots of sunlight and getting regular exercise.
Ultimately, seasonal affective disorder can set in as quickly and seamlessly as the fall foliage on the trees outside. Knowing that you aren’t alone, and having the best practices for fighting it, can make the fall and winter months better than you could have ever imagined.
Burnt popcorn, hot showers, vaporizers and more. Here are a few ways to eliminate the linger scent of weed in your home.
One of the most emblematic aspects about marijuana is its smell. Equally particular as it is enticing, marijuana’s scent is one of the world’s most recognizable smells. It’s also one of the hardest to get rid of.
In order to prevent your fabrics and your home from reeking of weed, there are a few things you can do, although it’s always better to prevent the smell over having to erase it once it settles in.
Here are 5 of the most useful bits of advice when it comes to making your home as marijuana-smell-proof as possible:
While there’s a lot of people who prefer to smoke joints and use bongs, vaporizers are effective if you want to consume something discreet and that produces little to no smell. These devices heat up marijuana instead of combusting it, creating no weedy smell (or at least a much subtler version of it) and saving your clothes a trip to the laundry.
Have a smoke buddy with you
Smoke buddies are a little clunky, but they’re a cheap and portable option that will help you get rid of lingering marijuana smoke. These devices allow you to blow smoke directly into them, leaving your surroundings odor-free. You can also make a sploof, which is cheaper and just as effective, only needing some dryer sheets and a cardboard toilet paper roll.
Have some Febreze and incense at your disposal
Febreze works in covering up the smell of weed, even if it leaves your home smelling of chemicals. If you prefer a more natural scent, you can try incense, which also produces a strong and distinct smell that will mask the odor of marijuana.
A common way to smoke marijuana on the low is to smoke in the bathroom while the shower is running. The water must be hot in order to create some steam, which will in turn mix up with the marijuana smoke and dissipate the smell.
Burnt popcorn masks the weed smell
While this measure is extreme, it is an effective way of masking the marijuana smell. Burnt popcorn smells very strong and will stay in your house for hours, maybe even days. However, when choosing this option, you’re basically trading in one smell for another. So hopefully you know how to get the burnt popcorn smell out of your home.
Pairing two strains is not very common, but it’s something that attracts adventurous cannabis users. Here’s what you should know.
While you’ve probably smoked from a pipe or a bowl that had remnants from a different strain of weed, mixing two strains is not something people usually do, at least not as a first choice. Are you able to produce different highs when mixing two types of weed? Can you specially tailor a high by playing scientist? Some people believe you can. Some don’t.
Mixing strains together can boost cannabis’s much discussed entourage effect, that feeling when different elements of cannabis come together and produce a powerful high, much stronger than one you’d get when consuming a single cannabinoid by itself. The entourage effect is the reason why so many people claim that consuming one cannabinoid for relaxing or therapeutic effects is not as effective as consuming the entirety of the plant, terpenes and all.
If you’re after truly unique effects, mixing two strains together can do that, for better or worse. In any case, mixing two strains isn’t rocket science; while you could get a very strong high or something that puts you right to bed, nothing bad should happen, especially if the cannabis you purchased is good quality.
What you should do
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Stick to one product and use your common sense. If you’re smoking flower, choose two strains you like and pair them in equal parts. Don’t mix a vape with flower, or an edible with flower. Start off slow and reign in your creative monster. When prepping your bowl, care for your flower, placing it in glass containers and out of the sun, stored in a cool, dry place. This will preserve the plant’s terpenes and allow you to have fuller and better experience.
You should pair similar components, whether that’s flavors or effects. Ask around in your dispensary and you’re sure to come up with dozens of different pairings. When it comes to mixing weed, it’s a blank canvas. You can really do whatever you want.
Ask yourself this question before you make your mix. Choose a strain you love and try to perfect it with something else. Are you after a couch-like indica effect that won’t knock you out instantly? Pair an indica with a hybrid that can help you kick up your high into something fun but still mellow.
Lastly, if you’re pairing two strong elements, be careful. When mixing two strains you’re opening yourself up to a completely new experience, one that’s more likely to result in something new but also a bad high, the type where you’re hyped up but also feel like sleeping for hours. Start off slow and ask questions in your dispensary. The point of it all is to have a good time and to try something new.
Cannabis has long been associated with brain damage, but this connection is complex, not wholly understood, and even exaggerated.
There’s plenty of myths surrounding cannabis. From it is a gateway drug to making people lazy, cannabis has been accredited with a lot of behaviors. Does smoking cannabis kill your brain cells? Is it a myth weed make you dumber or is this just a prohibition-era misbeliefs?
Despite how widespread this stereotype is, there’s little evidence out there to support or discredit this belief. Many think this started with the infamous fried egg commercial, which started airing in the ’80s and depicted a fried egg as the encapsulation of your brain on drugs. While there are terrible drugs out there, the moderate use of cannabis does not fry your brain.
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When it comes to scientific evidence, there is one study that shows a connection between a smaller hippocampus and chronic cannabis use. The hippocampus, important for memory and learning, isn’t directly related to brain cells but it does show a negative connection between chronic cannabis use and an impaired brain.
Another study, conducted over a period of 38 years, linked cannabis use with cognitive decline. It showed that adolescents who heavily used cannabis and continued to do so as adults lost six to eight IQ points by the time they reached midlife. Those who used heavily and who quit later on in their lives didn’t regain lost IQ points. On the other hand, adults who used cannabis heavily didn’t lose any IQ points.
Other studies show the opposite effect. A study conducted on mice shows that low dosages of THC can reverse age-related cognitive impairments. This link was found in another study conducted on humans with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, which showed that THC and CBD could be therapeutic.
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There’s no clear answer on cannabis and brain cells. While there have been negative associations between heavy cannabis use and the brain, moderate cannabis use has been associated with therapeutic effects.
In order to consume cannabis in a way that’s smart and positive for your health, moderation is key. Instead of consuming cannabis on a daily basis, it might be better for your health and enjoyment to treat cannabis as something that’s pleasurable instead of a habit.
Smoking too much weed can limit your hobbies, motivation and relationships. Here’s how to take it down a notch.
Marijuana is great, but too much of it is usually a problem. With the pandemic and the stress that surrounds our lives, a lot of people have taken to cannabis as a coping measure. While it is a healthier option than drinking alcohol or other types of behaviors, it’s still a substance that should be monitored.
Cannabis overuse could result in cannabis use disorder, a condition that can impair your everyday life and relationships. Luckily, just as cannabis is healthier than other substances, it’s also easier to slow down usage. Symptoms of cannabis withdrawal exist and are pesky, but they’re manageable as long as you do things correctly and take things one step at a time.
Here’s how to slow down your weed use:
Be honest with yourself
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Ask yourself whether you have a problem or not and be sincere with your answer. While it’s valid to cut down when you don’t have a problem, it’s very important to do so when you’re facing a more serious issue. Since cannabis is not generally seen as a concerning activity and its side effects are mild, it’s not easy to recognize if you’re dealing with a cannabis abuse situation. Keep in mind whether you smoke every day or not, if you freak out when you run out of weed or if you need to smoke in order to sleep or to do certain activities.
Ask yourself why you want to stop consuming cannabis, whether it’s impacting your relationships or stopping you from doing other things. The better your answer and the more clarity you have, the stronger your resolve.
Take it slow
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Take your time when slowing down your weed use. Whether you want to completely drop the drug use or simply slow down the amount of weed you smoke on a regular basis, start by decreasing the amount of cannabis you consume during your day. This will help with your withdrawal symptoms, reducing the likeliness of headaches, mood swings, etc.
Add a couple of exercise outings to your week. This will make you feel motivated and accomplished, while purging your body of THC, which is usually stored in your fat cells and released ruing a workout.
Exercise is a healthy activity you can use to fill your time, distract yourself, and get a better night of sleep, something that cannabis abuse can derail.
Cut out excess nicotine, tobacco and alcohol
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If your preferred method of consuming weed is via smoking spliffs or blunts, try to eliminate tobacco from the equation. Instead, purchase some edibles or a vape pen to cope with your cravings and be mindful of your use. These new methods will produce a different response from your body, perhaps making you feel more high and thus needing less THC to do so, and will also help you remove tobacco from your system.
It’s also important to avoid replacing your cannabis use with something else like alcohol or nicotine, which could result in worse outcomes.
The commonly held perception that marijuana users are largely sedentary is not supported by new data on young and middle-aged adults.
The cliché of stoners being couch potatoes, eating chips and watching television for hours was once what everyone thought of people who consumer marijuana. But with the medicinal benefits of cannabis becoming more widespread, and as more people, start consuming the drug, the look of the consumer has changed.
More studies are emerging, revealing cannabis users are actually likely to exercise more than people who don’t. The latest study, which was shared in the journal Preventive Medicine, was conducted by researchers from the Brookings Institution together with the University of Miami. For the study, they analyzed the association between exercise frequency and cannabis consumption within the last 30 days to observe if they had increased physical activity.
“Marijuana users are equal to or more likely to exercise than non-users,” write the authors. They add that “the commonly held perception that marijuana users are largely sedentary is not supported by these data on young and middle-aged adults.”
“As additional states legalize the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana, perhaps its impact on exercise, one of the leading social determinants of health, is not necessarily a primary concern.”
Older Studies Support These Claims
In 2019, a paper that was released in Frontiers in Public Health found that in states where cannabis is legal for recreational purposes, people use it either before or after a workout. Many of the participants also added that they believe cannabis helps them feel motivated for a workout, while enabling them enjoy the workout more while assisting in their recovery.
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As a result, they feel motivated to exercise more frequently since cannabis use helps them recover from post-workout pain more efficiently. “Our results suggest that prior findings of cannabis users being more likely to meet official exercise recommendations may be at least partly associated with perceived impacts of cannabis co-use on enjoyment, reductions in pain and inflammation during and after exercise, and to a lesser extent motivation,” the study says.
“Furthermore, participants who use cannabis before and/or after exercise reported that they exercised more, and had positive attitudes about co-use on exercise, which implies cannabis may be a useful tool for exercise among some users. In other words, sedentary cannabis users, particularly those who attribute low physical activity to concerns about recovery, motivation, or enjoyment, may benefit from co-use, provided that they select low-risk exercise options that do not compromise safety during intoxication.”
This is one of a few yet significant studies showing promise that cannabis may indeed impact how we associate exercise.
“These data suggest that many cannabis users in states with legal cannabis access use in conjunction with exercise, and that most who do so believe it increases enjoyment of, recovery from, and to some extent the motivation to engage in exercise. As these factors positively correlate with exercise behavior, using cannabis with exercise may play a beneficial role in the health of cannabis users,” says the study.
“There is a stereotype that cannabis use leads people to be lazy and couch-locked and not physically active, but these data suggest that this is not the case,” writes Angela Bryan, senior author of the study, who is also a professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience and the Institute for Cognitive Science.
The Result: Fitter, Healthier Cannabis Consumers
Naturally, when people are more motivated to work out frequently because of their cannabis use, you get people who are healthier and fitter than their non-consuming counterparts.
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A study from the University of Colorado Boulder analyzed it, and their findings were interesting. However, they did limit their study set to senior Americans since “adults over the age of 50 are the fastest growing population of cannabis users in the US and those 65 years and older exhibiting the greatest increase in cannabis use,” says the researchers.
“Body mass index (BMI) of cannabis users was significantly lower than non-users,” says the study. “These preliminary data suggest that current cannabis use status is not associated with a negative impact on fitness and efforts to increase exercise in sedentary older adults.”
In other words, they found that cannabis has no negative impact on exercise but also that regular cannabis users were consistently exceeding their non-using peers when it came to performance.
“Interestingly, numerous studies have found that overweight/obesity rates are significantly lower among cannabis users compared to nonusers,” says the study. “For example, Hayatbakhsh et. Al found that young adults who reported using cannabis daily were approximately one-third as likely to be overweight/obese at 21 years of age compared with young adults who had never used cannabis.”
“Research on the association between cannabis and exercise engagement, although limited, is suggestive of a positive association. A survey of adults 20-59 years of age found that current cannabis users were significantly more likely to meet minimum physical activity recommendations than past users and nonusers,” write the researchers.
While the study authors were unable to provide any explanation as to the reasons behind why cannabis users are fitter than those that don’t partake, they hypothesize that, “As cannabis users report that cannabis use increases their enjoyment of and recovery from exercise, the users in our sample may have found their prescribed exercise program, as well as exercise outside of it, more enjoyable and manageable.”
Bottom Line
People who toke up may tell you that exercising while high makes it much more enjoyable, but beneath the surface there are likely many chemical interactions at work. For example, people say that running gives you a “runner’s high”, which is described as that euphoric feeling that we enjoy when people reach a certain level during their workout. This is because we release chemicals called endorphins.
A 2003 study discovered that the exercise-related euphoria we feel may actually be originating from the endocannabinoid system, since researchers found higher levels of anandamide in the blood of participants who ran during lab experiments. This is why cannabis might make it easier for us to get ahead on those awesome feelings.
So why not incorporate more cannabis into your fitness routine? Go ahead, it will do good for your body.
Older adults who deserve to have every comfort at this last stage of their lives are conditioned by their experience many years ago to remain silent, even in an epidemic of chronic pain.
The misconceptions about cannabis began in the 1930s caused a massive stigma for the plant-based drug. This stigma is still present now, especially in the population that makes up those generations. Seniors want to try marijuana for pain, but the misconceptions of past prevent them from relieve of today. The American Medical Association acknowledges medical marijuana can help patients.
At least 40% of Americans who are above the age of 65 are suffering from several types of pain. Some experience it for a short while, while others have long-term pain.
For seniors above the age of 80, about 75% suffer from chronic pain, especially the ones in assisted living quarters like nursing homes.
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Many patients are manage conditions like hip and knee pain, insomnia, cancer, and other tough conditions. Some are also recuperating after major surgeries and are in long term pain. Analgesics do little to relieve pain after continuous use, and people have certainly used the drugs continuously over their long rich lives.
It’s time seniors, as well as their guardians and caregivers, come to terms with the therapeutic benefits from cannabis plants.
Senior Citizens and Cannabis Stigma
When cannabis prohibitions began in the 1930s, the seniors of today were just children. From the onset of their lives, they had it ingrained in them that cannabis was an evil of society. This continued till the mid-1900s when they also instilled the same messages in their children.
The government portrayed cannabis as an ill of society which shouldn’t be condoned, and to these seniors, it has remained an evil of society.
Yes, they may have heard the news about the decriminalization of cannabis in their state of residence, but they still consider it an illegal substance. In a survey carried out by Gallup some weeks ago, less than 19% of Americans above the age of 75 say they have tried using cannabis at some point in their lives. This is how low the acceptance of the drug is among that group.
For the children born in the ’60s, many have taken steps to register in medical marijuana programs. Quite a few of these “grandfolks” bring up topics about marijuana discreetly, as though they feel they are still breaking the law.
The cannabis stigma is worse in senior Americans who are also persons of color. They went through traumatizing episodes due to the War on Drugs and have been left at a disadvantage since then. For most of these seniors, their minds have been conditioned that cannabis use is followed by destruction.
American Seniors Deserve More
Nobody — young or old — deserves to suffer from chronic pain, Especially when effective medical cannabis drugs have been approved for treating such conditions.
Older adults who deserve to have every comfort at this last stage of their lives are conditioned by their experience many years ago to remain silent, even in an epidemic of chronic pain.
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Aging itself comes with varying degrees of aches and pains, and all these are compounded by social isolation, insomnia, dementia, disability, and even depression. The current data of senior adults refusing medical marijuana treatment is bothersome. As they choose to remain in pain instead of seeking relief.
Addressing the Crisis
Had it been that these older adults could tolerate NSAIDs, the silent crisis may not have been as serious as this. Drugs like acetaminophen, naproxen, and ibuprofen have intense aftereffects on the body organs of senior citizens. Many who can withstand opioids have managed with it. However, opioids are not sufficient enough to resolve the problem, not to mention the high risk of addiction involved.
Now is the right time for medical marijuana programs to pass on information to the senior generation about the benefits of plant-based medicines like cannabis. Caregivers should also be taught about the non-addictive nature of cannabinoids.
At this present time, medical obstacles such as these should not be a thing. The fear-mongering and propaganda these American seniors were subjected to back then are seriously holding them back from accessing what they need the most.
The federal prohibition of cannabis Is one of the factors that make these older people believe that cannabis consumption is likely to harm them. It seals their life-long belief that cannabis remains a threat to public safety. These old folks can’t be blamed for being wary of plant-based medication because of what they’ve been programmed to believe.
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Hillary Lum, a pediatrician and associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said that many of these senior citizens are fearful, and sometimes ashamed whenever they ask about cannabis. In a survey carried out by Lum, and published in 2019, “30% of older adults didn’t answer the question about whether or not they used medical marijuana,” said Lum. “If people feel uncomfortable with it on an anonymous survey, they may also feel uncomfortable telling their doctor. That could have ramifications for their health.”
Older Americans can first be introduced to the wonders of CBD instead of cannabis. Many may show interest in trying CBD to manage their symptoms. Health departments have to make informed medical counsels available at all times for these residents. Safety assurance and access to the drug also have to be made stress-free to encourage these seniors to opt into the treatment.
More Cannabis Research
Medical personnel occasionally lay complaints about being unable to recommend cannabis drugs due to the minimal clinical research carried out in the field.
Even in states that have legalized the medical use of cannabis, doctors have not been fully briefed about the impacts and risks of cannabis use. Due to this, most of these doctors refuse to prescribe medical cannabis to patients suffering from serious conditions.
An example is Texas. The state has over 43,000 doctors and only 150 are registered members of the medical cannabis program. There’s no easy way an uninformed doctor would be able to convince a senior citizen that plant-based drugs can serve as effective treatments.
Federal decriminalization of cannabis will be the most effective way to convince senior citizens and their caregivers that cannabis is their best choice to get relief. Health care providers, journalists, celebrities, family members, caregivers, and older Americans have to speak up about the benefits of cannabis as a reliable pain reliever for Americans. This could incentivize governments to bring barriers down.
