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5 REASONS WHY FLORIDA MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS BETTER THAN OPIOIDS
Marijuana is still illegal in Florida, except when it is used for medical reasons. Florida medical marijuana is used as a treatment for several medical conditions. In the last few years, the uses of medical marijuana for treating chronic medical conditions have become more widely recognized.
A recent report released in January 2017 by NASEM (The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) stated that chronic pain is the main reason that medical marijuana is used. Does this mean that medical marijuana is more effectively manages pain than opiods?
Is a Florida Medical Marijuana Treatment More Effective Than Opioids?
In Florida, medical marijuana is only used restrictively through the state’s medical marijuana system. While Florida legislative sessions decide how best to regulate the medical marijuana industry, people with medical conditions are finding relief with the use of medical marijuana. Below are 5 reasons why Florida medical marijuana is better than opioids for pain management.
1. REDUCES OPIOID ADDICTION
North America is experiencing what some call an opioid epidemic. In 2014, 28,000 people died from opioid overdose. Opioid is highly addictive and potentially toxic. Because of its addictive properties, many argue that medical marijuana is more useful for pain management. In some states that have made medical marijuana legal for pain management, the rate of opioid addiction and overdose has dropped.
2. REDUCES PAIN AND IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE
Chronic pain is a debilitating condition, and for many, it can be so severe that it affects all other parts of their lives. People who live with chronic pain often find that their quality of life is poorer. They sleep less, feel bad, and struggle to overcome chronic aches and pains. Recent studies show that medical marijuana increases the time spent in deep sleep, and reduces the time spent in light sleep. Because sleep is one of the major factors that affects our health, this new sleep pattern induced by the herb can improve your quality of life immensely.
3. HELPS REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF CHRONIC PAIN
There are adverse psychological and cognitive effects associated with chronic pain. These include anxiety, nausea, spasms and much more. Medical marijuana can help reduce and sometimes eliminate these common symptoms associated with painful medical conditions:
Nausea – Cannabis is effective at fighting pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, insomnia, and depression. Patients who are undergoing chemotherapy can use marijuana to relieve the effects of pain and nausea.
Anxiety – In 2010, Harvard Medical School researchers found that the efficacy of medical marijuana could derive its ability to reduced anxiety. This reduced stress leads to an improved mood. The herb also acts as a sedative when taken in low doses.
Contractions & Spasms – People suffering from multiple sclerosis experience pain in their muscles. Medical marijuana can help relieve this pain and the overall symptoms of the condition. In some other medical conditions, it can help control spasms. Studies show that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active molecule in marijuana, binds to our nerve and muscle receptors to relieve pain.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
The days are gone when marijuana was condemned and frowned upon as a drug for ‘pot-heads.’ Compared to opioids, when medical marijuana is taken at its prescribed quantity, it is less dangerous and not as addictive. As emerging studies show the diverse uses of pot, many Americans are choosing marijuana over opioids as the best choice for chronic pain management. Marijuana is receiving positive reviews and testimonials for helping treat several medical conditions like cancer, PTSD, epilepsy, and much more.
Chronic pain management is one of the main factors that the Florida medical marijuana system must take into consideration as they debate the reduction of medical marijuana restrictions. The restrictions have raised the demand as only a few companies are licensed to grow and sell it. But, thankfully, with the recent Amendment 2, thousands of patients are already benefiting from using medical marijuana to relieve their pain.