Clearing The Smoke: Debunking Myths About Medical Marijuana

For years now, researchers and medical experts have acknowledged the array of benefits medical marijuana provides. Due to the research gap in the medical marijuana sector and the political landscape of the United States, patients are left misguided, navigating their way to reality and making decisions based on anecdotal reports and personal assumptions.

There is a lot of myth circling around medical marijuana and so we are clearing the smoke and debunking the most persistent myths about medical marijuana.

That said, it is important that you learn about your state’s medical marijuana laws before purchasing any cannabis product. For instance, if you live in WV, you need a West Virginia medical marijuana card to get legal access to MMJ products in the state.

1. Myth: Marijuana is a ‘gateway’ drug

Research: A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health discovered that use of marijuana does not lead to later use of other drugs. Further research on the subject was published by the American journal of Drug and Alcohol abuse which states that marijuana use does not enhance the likelihood of other hard drugs.

2. Myth: Medical marijuana has little to no medicinal benefits

Research: More than 3000 doctors would say otherwise. For centuries marijuana has been used for its medicinal properties in East Asia. Even the FDA recognised the promise and approved Epidiolex (cannabidiol), a cannabis-derived drug product, as well as Marinol (dronabinol), Syndros (dronabinol), and Cesamet, three synthetic cannabis-related drug products (nabilone). Just a prescription from a qualified healthcare provider is required to purchase these approved pharmaceutical goods.

3. Myth: If I get prescribed medical cannabis, I have to smoke it.

Research: There are numerous typical administration methods of medical marijuana, including inhalation, ingestion, and sublingual/oropharyngeal (absorption in the mouth). Let us summarise them for you:

• Smoking or vaping: The dried and cured plant material that may be smoked or vaporised for inhalation is known as vaporizable or smokeable flower.
• Edibles: These are foods like baked goods, chocolates, and beverages that include medical marijuana in them.
• Tinctures and oils: They are oral liquid extracts of medical marijuana that can be consumed either on their own or in combination with other foods and beverages.
• Topicals are creams: Creams, balms, and lotions that are applied directly to the skin and include medical marijuana.
• Tablets and capsules: These are two oral dosage forms of medical marijuana that resemble conventional pills and can be taken whole.

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4. Myth: Medical marijuana is only used for recreational purposes.

Research: A study was published in the Journal of Pain which states that 64% pain reduction was seen in patients using medical marijuana, suffering from chronic pain.

5. Myth: Medical marijuana causes brain damage.

Research: Marijuana usage does not appear to result in long-term brain damage, according to a large body of recent studies, and it can be used as a successful treatment for a variety of illnesses. Igor Grant, MD, a psychiatrist who led the study, acknowledged being taken aback by its results, especially in light of the long-running debate over whether chronic cannabis use harms the brain.

6. Myth: Marijuana use causes cancer

Research: It is true that marijuana smoke includes carcinogens, the same like tobacco smoke. But even heavy marijuana users often smoke considerably less of it than they do cigarettes or tobacco, probably not enough to cause cancer. Even frequent marijuana usage does not cause lung cancer, according to a 2006 UCLA study (Weissenborn and Nutt #).

The Bottom Line

In addition, there has been a lot of misleading information spread about the possible downsides of using medicinal marijuana, such as worries about addiction, driving while impaired, and mental health issues. Any medication or substance carries some hazards, although these worries are frequently overstated or unfounded by facts. If you are suffering from any medical conditions for example chronic pain, anxiety, epilepsy, and nausea, you can consult a board certified medical marijuana doctor near you and get evaluated to take medical marijuana legally. In some states, consultation with a doctor is more simple than others. For instance, getting consultation in California is quite simple. That means, if you live in San Diego, getting a medical marijuana card is far cheaper and simpler than getting one in Oklahoma.

Overall, false information, outmoded cultural ideas, a lack of education and awareness, and disinformation are frequently the root of unfavourable myths regarding medical marijuana in the United States. It is hoped that opinions regarding medicinal marijuana would improve and become more tolerant as more study is done on its potential medical advantages and hazards.

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