Is Medical Marijuana a Myth?
In California and other states across the country, it is possible to secure a medical marijuana card and have a prescription to smoke pharmaceutical-grade marijuana that is sold in bulk and in food products, so by that definition, no, medical marijuana is not a myth. But what about the concept that marijuana, formerly a purely illegal drug with no medical value, is now considered a medical and therapeutic intervention for some illnesses? Is that idea a myth that perpetuates addictions or is marijuana a viable treatment like other otherwise illicit substances, including narcotics?
Marijuana as a Viable Medical Treatment
Often prescribed for certain conditions including glaucoma and cancer, some patients swear by the ability of marijuana to ease chronic pain, decrease nausea or to increase appetite. Most of the evidence that supports the validity of marijuana as a treatment is anecdotal and the lab-based research done on the subject is questioned by some experts and has not been proven effective across the board. In short, it may work for some but not for others, and there’s still a great deal of work to be done to determine the right type of marijuana, the best method of ingestion and the right dosage for different ailments.
The Myth of Medical Marijuana
Because there is little defining information about what the correct dosage should be and there is little regulation in terms of how much marijuana or how many THC products each patient can purchase or ingest each day, marijuana use can hardly be termed “medical” across the board. There’s also the issue of increased marijuana-related admissions to hospitals in states where medical marijuana is legal and the increased rate of admissions to drug rehabs in which patients seek treatment for marijuana dependence, providing details of the part that medical marijuana played in helping them to develop that dependence.
Marijuana Addiction Treatment
Though some claim that there is no such thing as marijuana addiction, both anecdotal evidence and research say that the opposite is true. More than one person has sought treatment for marijuana addiction that is both physical and mental. Some experience headaches, insomnia, irritability and other withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the drug. Others say that they find it impossible to stop abusing the drug even though they want to. Still others report that they lied to obtain more marijuana through medical marijuana dispensaries by claiming that they had chronic pain when they didn’t.
All of these are signs of marijuana dependence. If you see these signs in yourself or someone you love, contact us today to talk about the different addiction treatment services available and which ones are right for you.
