The number of states that have legalised medical marijuana has significantly expanded during the past few years. The advantages of cannabis are also becoming better understood as study develops. International research has been gathering data demonstrating the wide spectrum of health benefits that medicinal marijuana offers for decades.
Also, depending on recent regulatory changes in the US, future funding for similar research initiatives there may be improved. But the benefits of cannabis are already widely recognised, and the writing is on the wall. The prospect of medical cannabis offers hope where there were previously few options for millions of people around the world. Furthermore, it looks like the sky’s the limit based on established facts.
Inappropriate Approach Towards Medicinal Cannabis in US:
Sadly, recent attempts to medical marijuana research, especially in the United States, have failed. There is a lengthy history of using medical cannabis or medical marijuana to separate minority races. Racial minorities are arrested for marijuana possession four times more frequently than White persons, despite having identical rates of consumption.
In the early 1960s, marijuana was added on the Schedule I list of drugs for similar political reasons. Many segments of the community are still impacted by these issues and by those who oppose marijuana use because they think it is immoral. As a result, American efforts to carry out research into the health advantages of medical cannabis have been seriously hindered.
Fortunately, when it comes to international research on medical marijuana, this is not the case. While some countries decided against conducting such research, other countries anticipated the potential advantages of cannabis in healthcare. Particularly, Israel has been a pioneer in this field since the 1960s, gathering vast volumes of information about marijuana for therapeutic purposes.
Other nations that have taken the initiative in this area include the Netherlands, Germany, and India. Yet it looks that the United States is finally easing its limitations on medical marijuana research, despite being years behind schedule. More cannabis plant growers will be registered by the DEA for research, which will help produce data of higher quality. For the millions of people who struggle with various medical ailments, this is good news.
Development of Medical Cannabis in Healthcare:
- Pain relief: One of the medicinal marijuana’s most frequently mentioned advantages is its capacity to reduce pain. According to several studies, medical marijuana can used to treat multiple sclerosis-related spasticity, neuropathic pain, and chronic pain.
- Neurodegenerative conditions: Medicinal marijuana has been discovered to hold promise as a treatment for conditions including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. According to studies, cannabis can lessen brain inflammation and shield brain cells from deterioration.
- Anxiety and Depression: Medicinal marijuana has been demonstrated to have therapeutic potential for treating anxiety and depression. According to a University of Buffalo study, people who use medical marijuana report fewer symptoms of anxiety and sadness.
- Epilepsy: It has been discovered that medical marijuana helps people with epilepsy experience fewer and less severe seizures. According to a University of Alabama study, 39% of patients experienced fewer seizures after using CBD oil, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis.
- Cancer: Research has indicated that medical marijuana may be effective against the disease. According to studies, cannabis’ chemical constituents can stop some cancer cells from growing and spreading.
Final Note:
Despite the United States falling behind, international studies and some U.S.-based research are revealing the immense benefits of medical marijuana. Also, more people use medical marijuana every year to treat a greater variety of health conditions. However, it is necessary to note that due to restrictions in the United States, people seeking medical marijuana to enhance their health conditions fall into scams such as $20 medical cards. You cannot receive a medical marijuana card online by buying a $20 medical card online as it is necessary for patients to follow the legal and medical procedure to access medical marijuana legally and in accordance with the law.
Even though these studies suggest that medical marijuana may have potential as a treatment for a number of conditions, it’s crucial to remember that more research is necessary to fully understand the benefits and hazards of this substance.
References:
- Lynch ME, Campbell F. Cannabinoids for treatment of chronic non-cancer pain; a systematic review of randomized trials. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2011 Nov;72(5):735-44.
- Wilsey B, Marcotte T, Deutsch R, et al. Low-dose vaporized cannabis significantly improves neuropathic pain. J Pain. 2013 Feb;14(2):136-48.
- Zajicek JP, Hobart JC, Slade A, et al. Multiple sclerosis and extract of cannabis: results of the MUSEC trial. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2012 Nov;83(11):1125-32.
- Guzmán M. Cannabinoids: potential anticancer agents. Nat Rev Cancer. 2003 Oct;3(10):745-55.
- Sánchez C, de Ceballos ML, Gomez del Pulgar T, et al. Inhibition of glioma growth in vivo by selective activation of the CB(2) cannabinoid receptor. Cancer Res. 2001 Jul 1;61(13):5784-9.
- Devinsky O, Marsh E, Friedman D, et al. Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial. Lancet Neurol. 2016 Mar;15(3):270-8.
- Cuttler C, Spradlin A, McLaughlin RJ. A naturalistic examination of the perceived effects of cannabis on negative effects. J Affect Disord. 2018 Feb;235:198-
