4 Conditions Marijuana Can Treat Starting With The Letter ‘A’

The medical benefits of marijuana have been discussed for quite some time, but the implementation of this incredible treatment has been disproportionately slow due, almost entirely, to a stagnant political landscape. Medical marijuana doctors in Florida, and nationwide, are championing the potential breakthroughs of the cannabis plant, yet federal marijuana laws have not changed to reflect this new understanding.

Here is a small sample of some conditions marijuana could be used to treat if you had access to a legal medical marijuana card.

1. Anxiety
   Anxiety disorders affect about 18% of the U.S. population — 40 million adults are affected. There have been countless studies that suggest that legal medical marijuana has helped individuals suffering from an anxiety disorder cope with their condition. Usually a specific strain, most often an Indica, is prescribed. Doctors recommend refraining from combustion-based ingestion methods like smoking, as burning plant matter is carcinogenic.
2. Arthritis
   Cannabis based topical ointment can be used to relax sore joints and pained wrists. This is particularly popular with the over 65 demographic in fully legal states due to the ease of use, the lack of side effects, and frankly, how effective it is for treating pain from arthritis.
3. Anorexia
   One of the most well-known side effects of marijuana is that it makes you hungry. This has been true since before cannabis ever underwent examination for medical properties. Since the medical community has been able to study it though, the evidence has become quite clear. Marijuana, when used to treat cancer patients and other individuals with dangerously low body weight, is effective at regulating their body weight. This could be applied to individuals suffering from Anorexia as well.
4. ADHD
   There is evidence to suggest that THC might play a role in certain attention tasks in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This might seem counter-intuitive, but studies show a positive proficiency correlation between cannabis and multifaceted tasks like driving. This does not mean you should drive under the influence of course.

Whatever one’s feelings are about recreational drug use, medical marijuana is here to stay. Large groups within the medical community are huge proponents and more states now allow physicians to provide patients with legal medical marijuana cards. There are literally dozens, if not hundreds, of applications for the cannabis plant in medicine. The question on everyone’s mind: when will society at large finally see the benefits?