Medical cannabis use is growing rapidly among seniors, according to a recent study by University of Colorado researchers. Respondents in the paper stated, marijuana provided more positive results than prescription opioids. But despite this uptick in use and legalization in large cities like Denver, Colorado and smaller ones like Osage Beach, Missouri, some of the elderly are still reluctant to get a prescription for it. The researchers stated that some of the respondents were self-conscious about asking their doctor for a prescription. If someone elderly you know is skeptical or shy about using medical marijuana, here are benefits that may change their mind.
Pain Relief
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that about 50 million adults in the country experience chronic pain. That’s about one in five people suffering from constant aches in their joints, bones, or muscles! If someone you know is experiencing this, marijuana from a medical dispensary may provide the relief they need. This is thanks to a compound found in weed known as “cannabinoid.” Our bodies have receptors for it and researchers think that it may be responsible for controlling pain. According to a WebMD article about medical marijuana and pain, cannabis is most effective in treating nerve pain and cancer-related aches.
Better than Opioids
The official data from the Office of the President, claims more than 42,000 people in the United States died from an opioid overdose in 2016. This is a new record in deaths related to these pain-killing drugs. Just two years ago, the government declared officially that there was an opioid epidemic. People were becoming addicted to the drugs they took to ease their pain, like fentanyl and OxyContin, causing overdoses that led to more serious conditions and even death. Alternative, non-addictive medication with minimal side-effects are available. Medical cannabis is one of those options.
A recent Journal of the American Medical Journal (JAMA) paper found that states with medical cannabis laws had lower opioid prescriptions and fewer opioid-related deaths compared to states that still outlawed marijuana. This may be because people are finding cannabis more effective than taking dozens of over-the-counter opioids for pain treatment. If you’re worried about the “high” side-effects of marijuana, you can always buy cannabidiol (CBD) products. CBD is a compound of cannabis that contains all the pain-relieving cannabinoids without the psychoactive effects.
Better Sleep
Sleep deprivation is common among older adults. According to the National Sleep Foundation, about 33% of older adults wake up multiple times during the night. If an elderly person you know isn’t getting a good night’s sleep, a dose of medical marijuana could help them get to sleep with little to no side-effects. A recent study by the Brightfield Group found that more than a quarter of older adults who take cannabis use it to get better sleep.
Medical marijuana has a compound known as tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. This is responsible for the high you get when you ingest cannabis. This may also cause you to feel drowsy and ready to get a full 8 to 9 hours of sleep. CBD products, despite not having any properties that make you high, make you feel more relaxed and comfortable in bed.
If there are two complaints you’ll likely hear from your seniors, it’s that their back hurts or they can’t sleep at night. Medical marijuana may help alleviate these problems with its relaxing and pain-relieving qualities. As always, check with your state laws and physician to find out the right dose. This way, they’ll have both a comfortable and safe cannabis experience.
Get Quality Medical Marijuana
Once a prescription has been written, you shouldn’t just go to any dispensary to get medication. The store you’re visiting should have high-quality products from reputable distributors. Here at Latitude Dispensary, we ensure that the cannabis we sell, from the gummies to the flower buds themselves, is premium quality. Each of our stores is manned by a skilled support team that can provide you with the correct dose and items needed.
Contact us today to reap the benefits of medical marijuana.