More than half of U.S. states and Florida have legalized medical marijuana

November 11, 2018
Posted by edocmmj on
More than half of U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana in some form, and more are considering bills to do the same. Yet while many people are using marijuana, the FDA still hasn’t approved it as a treatment because there haven’t been enough studies to prove that it’s safe and effective.Why hasn’t more research been done? One reason is that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers marijuana a Schedule I drug, the same as heroin, LSD, and ecstasy, and likely to be abused and lacking in medical value. Because of that, researchers need a special license to study it.That may not change anytime soon. The DEA considered reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule II drug like Ritalin or oxycodone, but decided in August to keep it as a Schedule I drug.The agency did, however, agree to support additional research on marijuana and make the process easier for researchers.”Research is critically needed, because we have to be able to advise patients and Florida marijuana doctors on the safe and effective use of cannabis.

What is medical marijuana?

Medical marijuana uses the marijuana plant or chemicals in it to treat diseases or conditions. It’s basically the same product as recreational marijuana, but it’s taken for medical purposes says a group of Orlando and Lake Mary Marijuana Doctors.

The marijuana plant contains more than 100 different chemicals called cannabinoids. Each one has a different effect on the body. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main chemicals used in medicine. THC also produces the “high” people feel when they smoke marijuana or eat foods containing it.

How does it help?

Cannabinoids — the active chemicals in medical marijuana — are similar to chemicals the body makes that are involved in appetite, memory, movement, and pain.

Research suggests cannabinoids might:

  • Reduce anxiety
  • Reduce inflammation and relieve pain
  • Control nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy
  • Kill cancer cells and slow tumor growth
  • Relax tight muscles in people with MS
  • Stimulate appetite and improve weight gain in people with cancer and AIDS

Can medical marijuana help with seizure disorders?

Medical marijuana received a lot of attention a few years ago when parents said that a special form of the drug helped control seizures in their children. So far, research hasn’t proved it works. But some epilepsy centers are testing a drug called Epidiolex, which is made from CBD, as a therapy for people with very severe or hard-to-treat seizures. In studies, some people had a dramatic drop in seizures after taking this drug. The drug has not received FDA approval.

Research Links

Marijuana Policy Project – https://www.mpp.org

Americans For Safe Access – http://www.safeaccessnow.org

Project CBD – https://www.projectcbd.org

Center For Medicinal Cannabis Research – http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu

Drug War Facts – http://www.drugwarfacts.org

Bluebird Botanicals – https://www.bluebird-botanicals.com

High Times – http://hightimes.com

Benefits of Marijuana – http://www.benefitsofmarijuana.com/benefits.php

Florida Heath Department: Office Of Compassionate Use – http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/office-of-compassionate-use/