For decades, marijuana was portrayed in the media merely as an illegal drug used to get people high, and the people who use marijuana as no more than drug addicts and hippies seeking a desperate measure to detach from reality.  As more states begin to legalize the use of medical marijuana, these negative stigmas are being disproven simply as “scare tactics”, and replaced with scientific evidence backing marijuana as an aide towards health and wellness.
Senior citizens grew up during a time when marijuana was illegal in the United States.  Accordingly, the golden generation may perhaps be the most misinformed about marijuana, yet, ironically, might also be the age demographic that benefits the most from this natural plant.  Below are 10 things senior citizens should know about medical marijuana. 
1. Marijuana is SAFER than many commonly prescribed medicationsMost seniors take prescription drugs on a daily basis. The “side effects” of marijuana are insignificant in comparison to the side effects of many prescription drugs, and not a single person has ever died from a marijuana overdose. An ongoing 30-year study found that a person weighing 140 pounds would have to consume over 4 pounds of marijuana in one sitting to reach toxic levels, and that still would not be a fatal dosage. The powerful anti-oxidant effects of marijuana can provide relief for many disorders including liver inflammation from Hepatitis C, lupus, irritable bowel syndrome, and many other serious medical conditions that all involve inflammation and oxidative damage.
2. Marijuana is not physically addictiveMany seniors fear that if they start using marijuana they will become addicted. People can use marijuana daily and then stop “cold turkey”.  Discontinuing the use of marijuana has much the same response as quitting the consumption of coffee. Many people who seek welcome and effective respite from chronic pain, anxiety, and stress use marijuana as a daily medicine.
3. Marijuana can reduce and possibly replace many prescription medicationsA major complaint of seniors regarding their daily medications is that the first pill often causes side effects that the second one is supposed to “fix.”  "Marijuana's healing properties target various conditions such as inflamed joints, high blood pressure, chronic pain, digestive disorders, constipation, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, cognitive awareness, and more Marijuana has the potential for accentuating the effect of many commonly prescribed drugs (blog.norml.org)." For example, opiate based painkillers are typically enhanced when marijuana is used concurrently, often resulting in a reduction of pharmaceutical medicines.
4. There are many different types, or “strains” of marijuanaGrowing this plant is not terribly different from gardeners attempting to create the perfect rose or tomato plant.  Each plant has it’s own personality and effects. There are strains that are very helpful for chronic pain relief and strains Some strains can make one feel very focused and energized, while others can be relaxing and help with a good nights sleep.  The major strains of marijuana are Sativa and Indica.  Learn more about about the difference between Sativa and Indica for seniors. 
5. There are marijuana strains without “the high”“If I could get the medical benefit from the plant without the high, I’d consider it.” said many of the seniors we’ve spoken to.  Harvest cultivators have developed and are currently producing potent CBD genetic strains that have minimal psychoactive effect.  CBD, or cannabidiol, is tremendous for inflammation, eases pain, stimulates bone growth, suppresses muscular spasms, reduces anxiety, and increases mental focus. Harvest currently carries liquid extracts that have no “high” at all. These have proven extremely successful for persons suffering from arthritis pain, nausea, and muscle spasms.
6. There are ways to use marijuana other than smoking itOne common misconception among aging adults is that they have to smoke marijuana to gain the medicinal benefits. Harvest of Tempe provides liquid extracts, infused honey,candies, baked goods, and other products to choose from. Marijuana can be added to just about any regular recipe in the form of marijuana infused butters or oils. This opens up so many options for your medicine.
7. Marijuana-infused ointments can be very effective in alleviating arthritis and neuropathy painLocally made, medicated creams are very popular for sore joints and muscles and back pain. They are very effective, smell nice and give a you no “high” so you can feel comfortable using the products throughout the day.
8. Marijuana does not lower your IQ or cause brain damageAnother common misconception aging adults have with marijuana is that can lower intelligence or cause brain damage . There is no documentation that shows that marijuana reduces or “kills brain cells.” Studies with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients indicate that marijuana gradually encourages new neural pathways, allowing those with impaired brain function to potentially halt further degeneration and even encourage brain function.
9. Marijuana can help increase your appetiteOne of the most dangerous health risks among senior citizens is the loss of appetite, leading to weight loss. Marijuana has been extremely successful in alleviating nausea and as an appetite stimulant. That being said, A new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology finds an intriguing connection between marijuana use and body weight, showing that rates of obesity are lower by roughly a third in people who smoke marijuana at least three times a week, compared with those who don’t use marijuana at all.
10. The stigma around medical marijuana use is fadingSeniors are the fastest growing population of new medical marijuana users. There is no other reason for this other than it is working work for them. If you are in discomfort or chronic pain and would like other options. Those options consist of an organically and locally grown herb that is 3rd party tested, legal in the state of Arizona and can be purchased from a conscientious and responsible business that will provide you with friendly service and education. Medical marijuana can be a valuable tool in your “wellness toolbox”. The Harvest of Tempe is here to help.

Link to Original Article:
https://seniordirectory.com/articles/info/10-things-seniors-should-know-about-medical-marijuana 

Cannabis researchers are beginning to study the use of medical cannabis among seniors. According to CTV News, the Ontario Long Term Care Association in Canada has launched a new study on cannabis use among seniors in light of growing interest among the elderly.

The study is a six-month pilot program that will monitor the effects of medical cannabis use among 500 senior participants living in long-term care facilities. Candace Chartier, CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Association, says that many caretakers have already reported positive results.

“It is making an impact, it’s less time required to care for the residents. The caregivers that are coming in are seeing a difference in the level of pain,” said Chartier.

Medical cannabis has been used to treat a range of ailments including chronic pain, and has been legalized in 33 U.S. states.

OLTCA will coordinate the six-month program with cannabis company Canopy Growth and develop screening tools for caregivers and medical professionals.

“It will become a clinical support tool,” Chartier said.

Another six-month study will be launching in British Columbia, coordinated by cannabis company Tilray. The study, which will include 600 to 1,000 participants, will examine the impact of medical cannabis on sleep, chronic pain, and quality of life in patients over the age of 50.

Dr Blake Pearson, who will be leading the study, says that cannabis isn’t for everyone, but that 60% to 70% of patients who try it have experienced some form of improvement.

“Oftentimes, I’m able to treat a geriatric patient with cannabis oil and reduce potentially two to three of their other medications as a result, because it’s multimodal,” said Pearson. “So we can treat pain, anxiety, sleep with one thing, as opposed to three or four different medications.”

This is beneficial considering the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. is drug overdose. But, it’s also beneficial because of the amount of money it can save seniors on medical treatments.

In Long Island, the average price of a nursing facility is $15,000 a month. The cost of multiple medications on top of the price of a long-term care nursing facility can put many seniors in major financial straits.

By using cannabis rather than multiple medications, it could help seniors save their retirement funds. But, according to Dr Mark Ware, the chief medical officer of Canopy, medical cannabis research hasn’t been extensively tested on the elderly to ensure its prolonged safety and effectiveness.

Until now, medical cannabis research has focused on children and middle-aged patients suffering from epilepsy or chronic pain. More than 1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain worldwide.

Ware says the elderly haven’t received a lot of attention when it comes to cannabis because there’s a chance cannabinoids could affect them differently.

“They may require smaller doses,” said Ware, “they may metabolize drugs more slowly.”

These beliefs aren’t unfounded. Seniors may experience adverse side effects to medications and surgeries that would be considered safe for someone younger. These side effects can lead to lengthened hospital stays, which can worsen certain disabilities.

And although family and caregivers can do things to help improve seniors’ hospital experiences like buying flowers (37% of flowers are bought as gifts) or getting patients to be social (depression is a big risk among the elderly), University of California geriatrics researcher Ken Covinsky says that hospital stays are still worse for the elderly.

“A lot of the stuff we do in medicine does more harm than good,” said Covinsky. “And sometimes with the care of older people, less is more.”

This is where medical cannabis may be the most beneficial. Chartier says that reducing the number of medications taken by senior patients not only improves their quality of life but it also improves the quality of the workplace for nursing facility staff.

“[Reducing medications] could potentially reduce the medication administration time and could almost cut it in half,” Chartier said.


Link To Original Article:
https://qrius.com/researchers-begin-study-on-medical-cannabis-among-the-elderly/