Dealing With The Effects of Pharmaceuticals vs. Medical-Grade Cannabis

Medicinal marijuana could mean the end of the pharmaceutical industry if it was legalized globally. Although there is little scientific research, medical marijuana users seem to consume considerably less pharmaceutical medication, if any at all. Cannabis is also easier to access, less expensive and it doesn’t have as many adverse (negative) side effects whereas many pharmaceutical medications do. 

Cannabis is a Miracle Plant

Medicinal Marijuana should be called miracle marijuana. This one plant offers us more health and healing properties than many plants combined. The cannabis plant contains more than 100 cannabinoids, which each have a different effect on the body. The two main cannabinoids which we choose for consumption are called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is the reason why cannabis is being used to treat an ever-growing list of conditions and illnesses. However, there are other cannabinoids such as Cannabigerol (CBG) which display even more promising medicinal properties than the well-known CBD. 

Cannabis and Pharmaceuticals Both Provide Relief

Pharmaceutical medication and medical marijuana can be used to treat similar conditions and illnesses. Both cannabis and pharmaceuticals can be used in conjunction with the treatment plan for cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, epilepsy, chronic pain, depression, sleep disorders, eating disorders and many more. Just like pharmaceutical medication, except for their side effects, medicinal marijuana helps benefit patients in the following ways:

• Relief from pain without the possibility of addiction.
• Increasing and improves appetite. Cannabis gives consumers something we call the Munchies. 
• Reducing nausea and vomiting.
• It can provide anti-inflammatory properties.
• It can act as a measure to lower blood pressure.
• Aids people suffering from insomnia, helping them sleep.
• Increase in lung capacity.
• Alleviation from stress and anxiety
• Weight loss.
• Regulation and prevention of diabetes.
• Fighting cancer and reducing side effects relating to cancer treatment.
• Side effects of pharmaceutical medication.
• Treats depression and aids in addiction.
• Regulates seizures.
• It quickens the process of healing bones.
• It helps people suffering from ADHD/ADD.
• It helps with PTSD… and much more.

This list is ever-growing, just as consumption and research do too. 

Pharmaceuticals Usually Cause More Adverse Effects

Although pharmaceutical medication is prescribed by medical professionals to treat illnesses and diseases, the medication usually has side effects that range from mild to severe. This includes over the counter medication. Side effects happen because medications do more than treat the target problem. The issue with side effects is when it becomes an adverse effect, meaning an unexpected medicinal problem occurring during treatment with pharmaceutical medications. Types of adverse effects related to pharmaceutical medication use include, but are not limited to, constipation, skin rashes, diarrhea, nausea, insomnia, internal bleeding, abnormal heart rhythms, and suicidal thoughts. Some patients might even become addicted to pharmaceutical medication, especially opioid drugs which are commonly used for treating pain. This potential addiction alone makes medical marijuana the better choice to treat conditions and illnesses. 

The more complex and stronger a pharmaceutical drug is, the more difficult it is to access and the more expensive the medicine. This makes pharmaceutical medication more difficult to access for lower-class people.  Cannabis is cheaper to buy, even cheaper to grow and much easier to access. People who cannot get pharmaceutical medication for illnesses and diseases turn to cannabis instead. Although many who can access pharmaceutical medication still choose to use cannabis due to its’ minimal adverse effects.  If cannabis is easier to access, cheaper, can treat similar conditions/illnesses and has no adverse side effects, then why is there a need for pharmaceutical medication? The legalization status of cannabis is the only thing standing in the way of its potential to over-power pharmaceutical medications. 

I have been suffering from chronic illness since I was 16 years old. The use of cannabis to assist me has turned me away from pharmaceutical medication entirely, including the use of antibiotics. Such is the case with many medicinal cannabis users. Medical marijuana is not a trend, it is a medical phenomenon that will keep growing. Humans are not the only species that could benefit from cannabis for medical reasons. Animals can, and should, be beneficiaries of the medicinal properties too. Our knowledge of the plants’ benefits is limited due to its’ stigma associated with laziness and hippies as well as due to the lack of research. However, research and investigation into cannabis’ medical benefits are growing. If pharmaceutical industries do not take advantage of cannabis, it could potentially meet its demise. Perhaps this is a reason why the government is having a tough time legalizing cannabis.