One of the many changes that has happened in the United States over the last several years is the introduction of medical marijuana usage. For many of us, there are a lot of lingering questions about this. And whether we like the introduction of this or not, it is a growing trend in the U.S. Many states, such as California, have adopted laws that have made the use of this legal for medical purposes. If you have an elderly loved one that you think might benefit from this drug, you probably have a lot of questions about whether it is safe or not. While we’re not medical professionals, there are some resources that we can point to that will help us to better answer this question.
Medical marijuana is used to help treat chronic symptoms like pain, nausea, some diseases, and some of the side effects of medical treatments, such as chemotherapy. It is also used to help alleviate symptoms associated with terminal illnesses. Because of its uses, it stands to reason that many elderly individuals will fall under the category of those who might be good candidates for using medical marijuana.
For many, this can be a difficult decision. For so long, this drug was considered to be illegal and harmful, and that mindset can be tough to change. Even if the legal status of marijuana has changed, there are still a lot of questions out there about its safety. Although there hasn’t been enough research on the topic conducted, many scientists believe that marijuana use can cause cancer and that it is addictive. It certainly isn’t in the same category here as something like heroin, but studies indicate that if you have used this drug it is hard to stop doing so.
Medical marijuana is growing in acceptance across the country, but is it right for your elderly loved one?
Yes, there are drawbacks. And yes, there is a stigma against the use of marijuana, whether it’s for medical reasons or recreational. Yes, there are negatives to using marijuana. However, there’s a chance that it might be helpful to someone that you love. If that’s the case, and you live in an area where medical marijuana use is allowed, getting in touch with an experienced doctor can be helpful.
Technically speaking, medical marijuana is still a banned substance under federal law. Because many states have circumvented this law, including California, it is unlikely that someone who is legally using the medication under their state’s law will get in trouble.
The bottom line is that this is a decision that will need to be discussed with your family and your loved one’s medical doctors. There are some benefits that come with the use of medical marijuana, but there are also many known long term negative side effects that the drug can create. Oftentimes, doctors will not recommend using this substance unless nothing else has brought any sort of relief. But, what’s best for your loved one will depend on their individual circumstances. If you have more questions about whether or not this will be helpful to them, please get in touch with a doctor who is knowledgeable on the subject.
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