Can Medical Marijuana Help You?

At the turn of the 20th century, more than 20 prescription medicines containing marijuana were sold in American pharmacies. Marijuana was considered a legitimate ingredient in medications until 1942, when cannabis was stricken from the U.S. Pharmacopoeia, the official list of drugs considered effective. From 1937 to 1942, however,the federal government collected a tax of $1 per ounce for drugs containing marijuana, similar to a modern change in the government’s approach to cannabis: the rise in medical marijuana.

Certain states have approved marijuana usage in the context of medical treatments, meaning it can be prescribed by pain management specialists and other specified healthcare professionals. According to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, an advocacy group in favor of pot legalization, more than 200,000 studies on marijuana and its components have been published, with around 100 focusing on the potential therapeutic effects cannabis could have on humans. A number of these studies argue in favor of allowing doctors to prescribe medical marijuana. Unfortunately, due to the current legal situation, finding local medical marijuana doctors is impossible and illegal unless you live in a state where medical marijuana has been legalized.

There are numerous non-medical benefits to allowing local medical marijuana doctors; for example, studies show that rates of cannabis usages among young people tend to decrease when a state legalizes medical marijuana. Unfortunately, some people can develop a dependence on cannabis, similar to any other substance. In this case, it may be necessary to send the individual to one of your local rehab detox centers.

Dependence and addiction are unfortunately common problems: in 2011, 30% of men 12 years old and older reported that they had been binge drinking (consumed 5 or more drinks in one sitting) in the past month, while 13.9% of women the same age reported the same issue. In some cases, dependence on any substance may be treated by therapy and other simple tactics.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a section within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, defines detoxification as “a set of interventions aimed at managing acute intoxication and withdrawal. Supervised detoxification may prevent potentially life-threatening complications that might appear if the patient was left untreated.”

A specialized detoxification center will be able to monitor an individual’s withdrawal safely, regardless of the substance. So, if you’re considering marijuana usage, you should know two things: firstly, medical marijuana is growing in popularity, and it may be possible for you or someone you love to someday be treated by local medical marijuana doctors. But if you worry that anyone around you is overly dependent on cannabis usage, research local detox centers to get them the help they need.