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Revive Therapeutic Services

Pros and Cons to Medical Marijuana in Rhode Island

Updated: Dec 29, 2023

Pros and Cons to Medical Marijuana in Rhode Island

Several states have approved the use of medicinal marijuana for a variety of medical purposes, including the treatment of mental health issues. Still, the legality surrounding patients’ use of cannabis is unclear, and the practice of medical marijuana remains divisive. Cannabis is not regulated similarly to other medications; doctors typically do not recommend specific strains or dosages. For the foreseeable future, cannabis will continue to exist in legal limbo.

Uses For Medical Marijuana

In certain patients, medical marijuana can effectively treat a wide range of medical issues. It has been observed that cannabis is effective in treating the symptoms of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). After using cannabis for a few weeks, many patients report feeling calm even when sober. Since cannabis is helpful in treating chronic pain, it is possible that it could also help with other bodily illnesses. The benefits of marijuana for those with depression are debatable, as some users report feeling better while others say they feel worse due to using the drug.

Benefits Of Cannabis and Medical Marijuana in Rhode Island

Cannabis can be a pleasant relief for people with adverse effects from more conventional psychoactive medicines. Although cannabis has been shown to impair reaction time and short-term memory, most users report fewer adverse effects than traditional medications. The relatively fewer side effects of cannabis offer a substantial alternative that may persuade people with mental illness to continue with medical care, especially since the side effects of psychoactive medicines can be unpleasant for many patients.

Additionally, cannabis is much less dangerous than many other euphoric substances. Since no one is physically or mentally capable of ingesting the amount of cannabis needed to cause death, it is a good option for those who are suicidal and at risk of overdosing. Traditional pharmaceuticals may not be effective in treating specific mental health issues. For patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for instance, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antidepressant drugs may not be effective in reducing the frequency or intensity of intrusive memories and recollections. Cannabis can seem like a miracle treatment for people who have tried and failed with multiple other medications.

Many people who support using cannabis for medical purposes point to the fact that it is a natural product, making it safer than synthetic pharmaceuticals. In addition to helping with mental health issues, cannabis may aid with a variety of physical ailments, as has been pointed out by others.

Risks Of Cannabis

The biggest problem with cannabis is that, unlike many other drugs, it has no suggested dose criteria, which is a significant safety issue. Patients must therefore try different doses, routes of administration, and strains to see what works best for them. The end effect could be that the patient has to go through weeks of feeling euphoric or lethargic before she finally gets some relief.

The extent to which cannabis can be addictive has been the subject of heated discussion. Getting reliable data on cannabis’s addictive potential is challenging because of the drug’s illegality in much of the United States. Many patients, however, have psychological addiction, and a small percentage may even develop physical dependence.

There is evidence that smoking cannabis increases the risk of lung cancer and other respiratory issues. Cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of psychotic episodes in people with schizophrenia. Young patients are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of cannabis, which include psychosis, poor growth, and other issues.

With a range of reported health benefits, more and more states are recognizing the potential medicinal value of cannabis. Medical marijuana has been found to reduce symptoms associated with mental illnesses like anxiety and PTSD that often have debilitating effects on an individual’s life. Yet, due to its controversial validity as medicine in most areas it remains difficult for patients to access this treatment option despite being legal in some places: doctors aren’t recommending specific strains or dosages; no dedicated regulations exist governing medical usage. Contact us today to schedule your medical marijuana evaluation!

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