Alternatives to Medical Marijuana
Starting next year, medical marijuana users won’t be able to grow their own gardens in their backyard anymore, even if they had permission to do so in the past.
The federal government has stopped issuing licenses for homegrown marijuana today, Oct. 1. As of April 2014, growing your own cannabis will no longer be legal. The only way to get medical marijuana will be from a licensed medical supplier.
Large marijuana farms that can produce, package, and distribute will need to be certified by the RCMP and health inspectors.
Nothing works, only cannabis
In many cases, such as with Charlotte Figi, their only hope is cannabis. They’ve tried all sorts of medications recommended by their physician, but marijuana is the only one that has saved them. The eight medical conditions that patients can use cannabis for are: cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, muscle spasms, seizures, severe pain, severe nausea, and cachexia or extreme weight loss and muscle atrophy. Many patients use several grams of marijuana a day to help with symptoms and pains related to these conditions as well as nausea, especially in patients with AIDS or cancer.
At HealthSnap, we understand that having a homegrown cannabis garden is not only makes it harder for medical marijuana users to get a hold of their medicine and at a possibly more expensive price. It’s also a loss of autonomy and robs patients of the healing process that comes from growing your own medicine.
Although it may not be the most satisfactory solution, there may be some alternatives that could be as equal in efficacy.
Prescription drugs physicians recommend
Dronabinol is drug with a man-made form of the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that alters brain function. This prescription drug helps with nausea that comes from cancer chemotherapy. People with AIDS who have lost their appetite might see an improvement with dronabinol, too.
Cesamet (nabilone) is another prescribed drug that contains THC and attempts to decrease the signals in the brain that lead to vomiting. Both of these pills have side effects, which should be discussed with your doctor.
Vitamins and supplements to help with pain
Glucosamine have been shown to help relieve pain, especially in the knees from osteoarthritis. Fish oils are also associated with swelling. Vitamins and supplements should always be treated like drugs, overdosing can lead to dangerous side effects.
Topical ointments to help joint pain
Topical capsaicin can help with arthritis, diabetic nerve pain, and other conditions. Other topical balms, such as Tiger Balm, have proven extremely effective against chronic pains, stiffness, and aches.
Most of the instances in which patients have to turn to cannabis are because they're "at the end of their rope". Families such as Charlotte Figi's, who have tried everything, with no results and worse side effects have found there is no other solution other than cannabis.
Have you ever found yourself turning to alternative treatments though? Or have you used medicinal marijuana? We'd love to hear your story. Let us know below, in the comments!