Medical Cannabis
An Evidence-Based Option for Relief
MANY PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING from chronic pain, sleep issues, arthritis, and anxiety that interferes with their life. They are using pharmaceutical medications to treat their conditions and are interested in learning how medical cannabis can be used to help manage their symptoms as a natural alternative.
Medical cannabis was legalized in Canada in 2001. Although more research is being conducted now around cannabis use for therapeutic relief, there is historical evidence of cannabis use for thousands of years to manage a number of conditions. Nowadays medical cannabis is prescribed for a wide variety of symptoms and conditions, including pain, sleep disorders, arthritis, anxiety, depression, appetite loss, cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress disorder, psoriasis, and seizures, particularly in children.
Medical cannabis patients enjoy wider benefits than those using recreational cannabis, such as affordable options and compassionate pricing; tax deduction for medication expenses; freedom in medication administration in places recreational cannabis is prohibited; higher purchasing, carrying, and traveling limits across Canada. Furthermore, the number of insurance companies including medical cannabis in their benefit plans is increasing daily and some even offer direct billing. Above all, the greatest benefit in becoming a medical cannabis patient is the medical supervision by healthcare professionals, with personalized treatment plans and education support for dosing, product selection and treatment monitoring.
Dr. Paula Williams, a physician who specializes in pain management, finds it extremely rewarding to prescribe cannabis. “Ideally patients go through a clinic like Apollo Cannabis Clinics. Apollo’s knowledgeable educators help the patient choose the right kind, the best format, and a starting medication dose. Many patients opt for CBD in the day to manage their pain and introduce THC at night time to help with sleep. If anything needs to be adjusted, patients are supported 7 days a week.”
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are natural compounds in the Cannabis plant. They have distinct impacts and the ratios of each in the product can be adjusted. Most patients start with higher CBD, as it may relieve symptoms without causing a ‘high.’
Cannabis is available in four main formats: softgel capsules (ingested), oil (ingested or topical), dried (inhaled), and edibles (ingested), each with its own benefits. Generally, the patient starts with a low dose following their doctor’s guidance and gradually increases or adjusts the dose until therapeutic effect is achieved.
With the legalization of cannabis in Canada, more patients are turning to medical cannabis as a natural alternative solution to manage their conditions. Speak with your doctor or contact Apollo Cannabis Clinics for more information about your health needs and whether medical cannabis is right for you.