Chronic Pain is #1 condition treated with medical cannabis

A recent study by the University of Michigan, published in the February 2019 edition of Health Affairs, reports that 62.2% of medical cannabis patients were issued medical cards due to their chronic pain. This study also found that there is substantial evidence to support cannabis as a treatment for chronic pain in addition to nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy as well as multiple sclerosis muscle spasticity symptoms. A large number of scholarly articles support this claim as well.

I’ve already been asked what a treatment plan for chronic pain might look like. This could depend on a lot of factors (e.g. height, weight, age, other medications) and even some personal preferences. We’ll also need to have potential treatment plans verified by licensed physicians and/or pharmacists.

Our preference is to effectively treat the patient’s symptoms with a minimal dose. This keeps costs low for patients, avoids psychoactivity, and keeps tolerance low (which translates back to lower cost).

A good starting point would be a 2:1 ration of CBD:THC. Something on the order of 5mg:2.5mg. Delivery by sublingual drops every 3-6 hours as needed. We would probably leverage a 2:1 ratio edible around bedtime if sleep is an issue due to pain. We’ll advise doubling that dose every few days until the most effective dose is found.

This 2:1 ratio of CBD:THC should ensure that the intoxicating effects of THC are minimal. CBD tends to block, or moderate those effects in THC. Those two cannabinoids both have pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. However, when combined, these compounds generally have a much higher effectiveness against pain and inflammation.

Finally, although most patients will want to avoid the mind-altering effects of THC, those effects can have therapeutic value on their own. Those suffering with chronic pain often have indications of depression as well. After all, living with pain sucks! With this in mind, feeling ‘uplifted’ by a small extra dose of THC probably won’t hurt anything when work is done for the day.

Whatever path you choose, we plan on being here to help you try to achieve a higher quality of life.

Further reading:
Dr. Russo
University of Michigan
Cannabis and Pain: A Clinical Review

Cannabis buds are medicine

Some people have ignorantly argued that the whole cannabis plant, and specifically it’s flower, is not a medicine. The suggestion is that only the active cannabinoids (THC & CBD) are of therapeutic interest. I suppose this is better than saying that cannabis has no medical value at all. However, both notions are false.

Scientific research has concluded that not only are the cannabinoids therapeutic, but so are the other components, such as the terpinoids found in cannabis flowers.

Beta-Carophyllene, present in almost every variety of cannabis, is known to have strong anti-inflammatory effects on it’s own. It is a major constituent in black pepper, rosemary, cloves, etc… In fact, it is this scent that K-9 drug search dogs are trained to smell when searching for cannabis. Surprisingly, this terpine has also been proven to assist in arresting tumor growth.

It can be thought of this way; while THC and CBD are the engine and transmission in the cannabis vehicle, the terpinoids are the steering wheel. They help direct the medicinal effects while also counteracting, in many cases, the negative side effects of THC. It is for this reason that citrus scented varieties often have an uplifting effect, while varieties with a strong earthy odor are often more relaxing. Understanding cannabis chemotypes can be very important for the consumer.

I assume that you won’t take my word for it, so please read on in this scholarly article; “Taming THC” by Dr. Ethan Russo. With all due credit, please read anything written by Dr. Russo – he is a leader in this field.

For those who prefer a video option.

Further Reading:
Healer.com


Each retail dollar spent for medical cannabis could result in $2.40 in additional local spending

This isn’t the first study (referenced in the article linked below) that has suggested a number near $2.50 for indirect economic impact per dollar spent in dispensaries. In addition to that direct spending, this new industry will create revenues in other spaces as well. In fact, it appears as these auxiliary companies (those who don’t actually touch the plant) are already gearing up to interface with this brand new industry. This is a great story about a local Kansas City businessman who is trying to do just that.

Cannabis will be good for our town

The impacts for our county will not be in the seven digits as it is in Pueblo, Co; at least not right away. It is important to note that Pueblo, Co has legalized adult-use cannabis in addition to medical. It is interesting that the number of local studies finding that there are positive economic impacts is growing steadily. Almost all that I have read seem to indicate that this is without a negative social impact. I hope you enjoy this article from Forbes.com

Please let us know if you’d like to see more articles of this type.