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Overview

Marijuana has been shown to be particularly useful to reduce nausea and vomiting, to increase appetite, and for pain relief.  It is also reported to help with inflammation.

This article covers the following subjects, each in their own section:

NOTE:

  • If you are considering flying with marijuana, a good overview of rights and what to expect is in a New York Times article. To see it, click here.
  • Dr. Gregory T. Carter, co-author of Medical Marijuana 101, raises the following cautions:
    • If you use medical marijuana: at all times, carry your doctor's prescription/recommendation and state issued ID card if you have one with you. Only present ithe card to law enforcement officers if accused of a marijuana related crime.
    • Do not drive, operate tools or machinery, or perform tasks that require a lot of concentration for up to three hours after using marijuana.  Residual effects have been reported up to 24 hours later so be cautious during that period of time.
    • If you have a serious psychiatric disorder, do not use marijuana without a psychiatrist's supervision.
    • If you have a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse, speak with an addiction specialist before using. Your doctor can refer you.
  • Vomiting and pain: Marijuana can cause vomiting and pain in heavy marijuana users. The situation is known as  Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). It can be cured by quitting use of marijuana.

Marijuana And The Law

There is a conflict between federal law which outlaws the use of marijuana and the law of a number of states which legalize it for medical purposes and the few states in which marijuana is legal for recreational purposes. To date, the federal government has not pursued users of marijuana for medical purposes in those states in which it is legal.

On a state level, marijuana is legal when used for medical purposes in 28 states. It is also legal in Alaska, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada and Washington for recreational use for people over the age of 21.

  • For information about the laws in your state, and, if marijuana is legal, how to obtain it, and other program details, click here offsite link. If the link does not work, go to www.procon.org  offsite linkand search on "marijuana laws"
  • For information about how to enroll in a program in a state in which medical marijuana is legal, see www.safeaccessnow.org offsite link. Search on "How To Become a Legal Patient," or call 888.929.4367. 

On the federal level: While the federal government considers marijuana to be an illegal controlled substance,  federal prosecutors have been told not to use their time to arrest people who use or provide medical marijuana in compliance with state law.

For the latest news about the legality of medical marijuana, see www.safeaccessnow.org offsite linkand www.csdp.org/news/news/medmar.htm offsite link.

How To Use Marijuana For Pain Relief

Following are various methods that have proved to be help reduce pain by using marijuana. They are listed in alphabetical order:

  • Eating. You can add marijuana to brownies or other prepared food. If you are using marijuana primarily for pain relief, this is not recommended because the intoxicating effects can be very strong. Patients can be deceived about the amount to take because it can take an hour or longer to work
  • Juice. Put a small amount of marijuana in a blender. Add a liquid such as milk or juice. Intoxicating effects are minimized because the THC is not heated.
  • Smoking. The downside to smoking marijuana is that it can increase the risk of bronchitis or other respiratory problems. Heat triggers the intoxicating effects of THC.
  • Sublingual tincture.  A liquid form. 
    • You can make this liquid form by steeping cannabis flowers in glycerin for a period of time such as a week. A dose is 3 or 4 drops under the tongue.
    • Sublingual tincture is available at some dispensaries with a prescription.
  • Vaporization: The active ingredients in marijuana turn into vapor which eliminates the harsh compounds in the smoke. There is generally less intoxication because the lower temperature doesn't activate THC, the compound that causes most of the "high" associated with smoking marijuana..

How Much Marijuana To Use

Basically, the way to determine the amount of marijuana to take depends on trial and error. The general recommendation is to start with a small amount when you need a dose.  Then wait for 20 - 30 minutes to see how you feel.  Increase or decrease subsequent doses as needed.

The pain reducing effects usually last one to two hours.

NOTE: If a dispensary measures the amount of THC and other compounds, it is easier to achieve a batch-to-batch consistency. Otherwise, you have to start again with each new batch of marijuana.

What Marijuana To Buy?

According to Dr. Gregory T. Carter, co-author of Medical Marijuana 101:

  • Marijuana has two main ingredients: cannabidol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). 
  • CBD has fewer psychoactive effects than marijuana with a lot of THC.
    • If you want to minimize the "high" from marijuana, choose a strain with a higher percentage of CDB.
    • If you have pain at night, and want to sleep, consider marijuana that is high in CBD. It will help you fall asleep.
    • If you have fatigue and need energy, consider a higher THC product.
  • When buying from a dispensary, tell the clerk your priorities so he or she can help you choose the right type. 

You can find information about various strains of marijuana and the properties of each strain online. For instance, see: www.Leafly.com offsite link. If you live in a state where medical marijuana is legal, Leafly also lists prescribing doctors and dispensary locations.

NOTE: You can place an order via the app EAZE. A driver will deliver medical marijuana to your door.