The legalization of marijuana for medical use in the U.S. would help a lot of people. If properly regulated and controlled, marijuana could be one of the United States’ most effective medications for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Cannabinoids, the psychotropic substance found in marijuana contains over four hundred different chemicals which are essential in remedying various health conditions.
With these medical conditions come the various consumption methods. There are various methods for consuming marijuana based on patient’s preference and convenience. While there are those who prefer using marijuana by smoking, there are other delivery methods that can be employed including tinctures, vaporization, teas, and oils. Medical marijuana methods consider the patient’s convenience. It is a much better method compared to the techniques provided by other legal medication. That is why it is preferred for treating numerous conditions.
Medical marijuana can be utilized in treating Glaucoma. Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes a gradual loss of sight as a result of increased pressure in the eyeball. Glaucoma can be treated with many options, but these methods could lose their efficacy with time. Cannabis has been found to be more efficient in treating this disease universally. In one study, over 80 percent of Glaucoma patients used marijuana and experienced a tremendous reduction in the intraocular pressure.
Marijuana can also be used to treat epileptic seizures. This condition is a brain disorder characterized by nerve cells abnormalities that cause strange emotions, sensations, and behaviors. THC, a chemical component of cannabis, controls seizures by sticking to the cells responsible for regulating relaxation and managing excitability.
According to a “Weed” documentary, the researcher interviewed a family who treats their five-year-old daughter using a marijuana strain high in a chemical called cannabidiol and low in Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The daughter has Dravet Syndrome, which caused severe developmental delays and seizures. According to the documentary, medical marijuana was able to reduce her seizures from 300 in seven days to just one in a week. The practitioner who recommended this treatment said that cannabidiol interacts with cells in the brain to minimize the excessive activities which cause these seizures.
Medical Marijuana may also be used to improve lung health by reversing the carcinogenic effects tobacco. In a study conducted in 2012, researchers looking for the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases tested the lung conditions of 5,115 adults in a duration of 20 years. Those smoking tobacco lost their lung function over time while post users exhibited an increase in their lung capacity. However, according to the researchers, the enhanced lung capacity may have been as a result of taking deep breaths when inhaling pot, and not from the therapeutic chemical found in the drug.
Although there are negative aspects to using marijuana for medicinal purposes, studies from many different research projects show that it can be used in treating conditions where other drugs have failed. Today, many patients can use marijuana as an effective treatment technique. Utilizing the drug is possible because 14 states across the country have legalized its consumption and usage for medicinal purpose. However, the use of medical marijuana has to be done with the consent of a certified and licensed physician.
