My Introduction to Medical Marijuana

Leah Leilani avatar

by Leah Leilani |

medical marijuana

Marijuana use in the United States dates back to the 1600s. Before being introduced as a recreational drug in the early 1900s, hemp, a variety of the cannabis plant, was used to produce products such as rope and cloth.

Studies into the use of the substance in the 1930s associated it with crime and violence. Despite this research being disputed by a 1944 report by the New York Academy of Medicine, marijuana has been, until relatively recently, widely stigmatized as a “gateway drug.”

However, attitudes are changing. Although the substance is still illegal under federal law, 10 states now allow recreational use of cannabis.

My knowledge about medical marijuana has grown since my family started giving it to our dog, Andre. He’s a compulsive paw chewer, and for six years we’ve tried several solutions to tackle his habit. We took him to a dermatologist and tried switching his food. However, we realized that allergies and his diet weren’t the cause of his behavior.

Our next theory was a fungal rash. We covered his paws with antibacterial powder and put baby socks on him. The pile of chewed socks grew, and we were forced to go back to the drawing board. No medication seemed to work for him, so we figured his problem was psychological. Cannabis was our last hope to treat what we believed was anxiety. It worked, and over time, we’ve adjusted his dosage to find the optimum amount needed to calm him.

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The dispensary that Mom frequents is safe and professional, and the staff answers customers’ questions readily. The store carries a variety of products, from salves to edibles to dog treats.

The cannabis plant has many components. The two most important ones related to medicinal benefits are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the psychoactive ingredient that causes a “high” feeling. You may be wondering why there is a medical need for THC if all it does is create an altered state of mind. Well, science has shown that it has many benefits, including relieving chronic pain and insomnia and reducing seizures, to name a few. Some people are satisfied with CBD, while others need both compounds to achieve symptom relief.

I don’t need medical marijuana right now. My prescription medications are effective at alleviating my symptoms of mitochondrial myopathy. However, I won’t rule out the option of using medical marijuana should my situation change in the future.

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Note: Muscular Dystrophy News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Muscular Dystrophy News or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to muscular dystrophy.

Comments

Gina Salminen avatar

Gina Salminen

Cannabis saves the being with Facio Scapulo Humeral Muscular Dystrophy. Hello 40 pounds of proper muscle back since Scapulo Thoracic Fusions in 2014 and 2015. Bye Bye AFO braces, Pharmaceuticals, and suffering. Researchers and Clincians need to stop selling us off into Big Pharma murder. Those Orphan Drug Trials will only kill us all!!!!

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Charles Caria avatar

Charles Caria

Hi Gina, that is great to hear. I also have FSH and am thinking about using CBD. Can you tell me more about what you did and quantities you use? Thanks.

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Nizar Saad avatar

Nizar Saad

Hi Gina,

Can you explain in more details your CBD-based treatment?

Thank you,
Nizar

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Leah Leilani avatar

Leah Leilani

So glad to hear you found an alternative to prescription medication. Being on medication long term can be so harmful for our bodies and I definitely agree that more doctors should get on the CBD bandwagon.

Reply
Nasreen Khan avatar

Nasreen Khan

Where can I get the treatment?
I desperately need to know if it will help my son with congenital myopathy to get any help from Cannabis
thanks

Reply
Leah Leilani avatar

Leah Leilani

Nasreen,
Cannabis isn’t usually recommend for people under the age of eighteen. If a doctor approves the use of Cannabis you must get approved for a medical marijuana card.

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MyCannabisDoc avatar

MyCannabisDoc

Leah, Glad to hear you are keeping an open mind regarding medical cannabis. The stigma on the healing properties and how the endocannabinoid system works are beginning to become more mainstream. That being said, there are many non-psychoactive formulas that people can utilize for their medical benefit.

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Leah Leilani avatar

Leah Leilani

You never know what types of alternative medicine will work so keeping an open mind is important.

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Cheryl avatar

Cheryl

I have a genetic form of Macular Degeneration called Best Dystrophy. My eyesight has degraded consistently over my 55 years...Just a few months ago my eyesight improved...The only change I made was using a high quality CBD in higher concentrations; about 150 to 200 mg per day.

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Leah Leilani avatar

Leah Leilani

Yay! That is such great news! I’m so happy for you.

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James A Lessard avatar

James A Lessard

I have a muscular dystrophy caked IBM ( inclusion bio myositis ). Is there any testing results being done to help with people that have this disease?

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Leah Leilani avatar

Leah Leilani

James,Diagnosing Muscular Dystrophy is usually done with either a muscle biopsy or blood DNA test. I don’t know about IBM.

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Shahzad avatar

Shahzad

my son age 8 years has duchenne muscular dystrophy. will you please guide me how to use CBD?
Thanks in advance

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Leah Leilani avatar

Leah Leilani

Shahzad,
Using CBD is a very Individualized thing. Your son may need to try different doses and various different forms such as edibles or tinctures. You will need to keep in mind that CBD is not always recommend for people under the age of 18 and you should be very cautious when doing so.

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David M avatar

David M

Leah, I am glad that your symptoms of mitochondrial myopathy are under control. If you don't mind, may I ask what meds are helping you?

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Leah Leilani avatar

Leah Leilani

I take many meds to manage my symptoms of Mitochondrial Myopathy but the medical marijuana I use is Mary’s Medicinals CBN Transdermal Patch.

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