It’s official; Medical Marijuana is here!  With this is extremely exciting legalized industry blooming in Ohio, questions will naturally persist.  Fear not- we’re here to help 🙂 As your partner in the medical cannabis field, Ohio Green Team doctors can serve as your knowledge center for all medical marijuana questions.  Here’s a list of common questions (and answers!) we’ve received from patients about medical marijuana:

What Medical Symptoms or Conditions Does Marijuana Treat?

Medical cannabis is known for treating a wide variety of symptoms and conditions.  In Ohio, the relevant symptoms which are legally approved are:

• AIDS
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cancer
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
• Crohn’s disease
• Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable
• Parkinson’s disease
• Positive status for HIV
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Sickle cell anemia
• Spinal cord disease or injury
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Traumatic brain injury
• Ulcerative colitis
  

The most common symptom/conditions Ohio Green Team doctors identify within patients are forms of pain.  State of Ohio will likely add more approved symptoms and conditions as the program and industry in Ohio evolves.  In other states, medical marijuana is legally accepted to treat conditions such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, Rheumatoid arthritis, Anorexia, migraines and lupus.

What determines how marijuana affects a person?

Like any other medicine, marijuana’s effects on a person depends on a number of factors, including the person’s previous experience with the drug or other drugs, biology (e.g., genes), gender, how the drug is taken, and how strong it is.  When you visit your preferred dispensary, the “bud-tenders” will be able to assist you in identifying the best medicine to treat your symptoms.

How is eating and drinking foods that contain marijuana (edibles) different from smoking marijuana?

Because marijuana contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), there are health risks associated with using marijuana regardless of the how it is used. Some of these negative effects include having difficulty thinking and problem-solving, having problems with memory, learning and maintaining attention and demonstrating impaired coordination.  However, some risks may differ by the way it is used.

Smoke from marijuana contains many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens as tobacco smoke. Smoking marijuana can lead to a greater risk of bronchitis, cough, and phlegm production. Whereas, edibles, which take longer to digest, take longer to produce an effect. Therefore, people may consume more to feel the effects faster. This may lead to people consuming very high doses and result in negative effects like anxiety, paranoia and, in rare cases, an extreme psychotic reaction such as delusions, hallucinations, talking incoherently, and agitation.

What are the health risks of Medical Marijuana?

While the benefits of marijuana far outweigh any potential health risks, there’s still a possibility for negative impacts.  Health risks may include:

• Mental Health Issues
• Cancer
• Respiratory Disease
• Impaired Memory

Like all medications, Ohio Green Team recommends using responsibly as instructed and never abusing.

What are the effects of mixing marijuana with alcohol, tobacco or prescription drugs?

Using alcohol and marijuana at the same time is likely to result in greater impairment than when using either one alone. Using marijuana and tobacco at the same time may also lead to increased exposure to harmful chemicals, causing greater risks to the lungs, and the cardiovascular system.

Also, be aware that marijuana may change how prescription drugs work. Always talk with your Ohio Green Team doctor about any medications you are taking or thinking about taking and possible side effects when mixed with other things like marijuana.

Is it possible to “overdose” or have a “bad reaction” to marijuana?

A fatal overdose is unlikely, but that doesn’t mean medical marijuana is harmless. The signs of using too much medical cannabis are similar to the typical effects of using marijuana but more severe. These signs may include extreme confusion, anxiety, paranoia, panic, fast heart rate, delusions or hallucinations, increased blood pressure, and severe nausea or vomiting. In some cases, these reactions can lead to unintentional injury such as a motor vehicle crash, fall, or poisoning.  At Ohio Green Team, we always advise to use responsibly as recommended and never put others at harm.

Can I use Medical Marijuana around my children?  Is secondhand smoke a concern?

At this point, very little research has been conducted to definitively say one way or another.  The closest comparison to draw from would be secondhand smoke from cigarettes which can be harmful.  Not only should you talk to Ohio Green Team doctors about any possible effects of medical marijuana use around your children, but we recommend speaking to your children about why you are using medical marijuana in the first place. Children are naturally curious and no doubt they will have heard many stories about marijuana use, both for and against.

Where can I get Medical Marijuana?

The State of Ohio has awarded a total of 56 licenses for dispensaries around Ohio.  The full list with location/address details can be found here: Registered Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Remember: all questions are good questions so please be sure to ask your Ohio Green Team doctor anything that comes to mind!

 

If you need to a medical marijuana recommendation, please don’t hesitate in scheduling with us today:  https://ohiogreenteam.com/schedule.html