The Pros and Cons of Using Medical Marijuana for Pain Management

Medical marijuana has proven to be a great treatment option for individuals suffering from symptoms; such as anxiety, nausea, insomnia, and pain. With nearly %70 of Americans on board with legalization, marijuana is being thought of as a blessing to the medical community. However, there are negatives in addition to positives in every situation.

Keep reading for the pros and cons of using medical marijuana for pain management on this website.

Pro: Non-Addictive Alternative

When an individual reports symptoms of pain, doctors are quick to prescribe pain medication.

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Pain medications can be a good solution for people struggling with short-term injuries but can be dangerous for those with chronic pain. Pain medications can be dangerous because they are highly addictive. In fact, %12 of prescription drug users admit to being addicted.

Marijuana is a great alternative to pain medications because it is non-addictive. Additionally, individuals can choose to purchase cannabis products that are non-psychoactive such as CBD or Delta-8.

 

Pro: Product Options

One of the many benefits of using marijuana for pain management is the wide variety of available product options.

There are many different ways an individual can use cannabis. Smoking flower is the most common consumption method; however, edibles, topicals, tinctures, suppositories, patches, and concentrates are also becoming popular.

Whether you want THC, CBD, Delta-8, Delta-9, CBN, or another cannabinoid, you can find a version of your favorite product with that cannabinoid.

The variety of product options makes using the plant possible for all patients. Not every person is ok with smoking cannabis. A great alternative would be a topical lotion that is rubbed directly onto painful areas.

 

Pro: Reduces Inflammation

Many medications focus on decreasing pain and do nothing for inflammation. Marijuana, on the other hand, can dramatically decrease inflammation.

Inflammation is actually a good thing and signifies that your body is healing; however, your body can become over-inflamed which can get in the way of the healing process. Inflammation can be painful and adds extra weight to the body. This extra weight can also cause additional pain by putting pressure on weakened parts of the body.

If an individual’s inflammation gets out of control, anti-inflammatory medications like marijuana should be used.

 

Pro: Safer For You Physically

Marijuana is a completely natural medication with no additives or harsh chemicals, even the cultivation process is free of harmful pesticides and contaminants. This is partially why marijuana is one of the safest treatment options available.

Most medications have harmful side effects and lead to long-term damage. Marijuana has no side effects and no long-term complications. Instead, marijuana is known to heal and regulate the body and its functions when used for an extended period of time.

 

Con: Tolerance

One of the negative things about marijuana consumption is that over time, your body builds a tolerance to the plant. Once you build a tolerance, you must consume more than you typically would to obtain the same effects.

Of course, building a tolerance to a medication is normal but is still worth mentioning since the only way to lower your tolerance is by quitting the consumption for at least two weeks. However, during a tolerance break, a person may have luck with switching to another consumption method.

 

Con: Not Accessible Everywhere

Medical marijuana is a great medication that can be beneficial to both healthy and unhealthy communities.

The issue is that medical marijuana is only accessible to individuals that have a qualifying condition. Additionally, qualifying patients must live in a state that has legalized medical marijuana and has a medical marijuana program.

 

Con: Not Covered By Insurance

Unfortunately, medical marijuana is not covered by medical insurance therefore, patients must pay for cannabis products out of pocket.

For some, not having your medication covered is not a big deal, but for others, it can be detrimental to their health. %64 of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and spending hundreds of dollars on medication may not be possible.

Discounts, deals, and daily specials are available at most marijuana dispensaries; however, if you can’t afford the expense, traditional pain pills may be the best option.

 

Conclusion

Medical marijuana is highly beneficial for pain management because it is the safest medication on the market, is non-addictive, reduces inflammation, and there are many product types to choose from.

However, there are cons to medical marijuana as well. Long-term use of marijuana builds a tolerance to the substance, making an individual need to consume more.

Additionally, medical marijuana is not covered by insurance, and is not available to everyone since it is not legal in every state, and a patient must have a qualifying condition to receive an MMJ.

 

 

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