In the midst of a global pandemic, society attempts to adjust to the latest advisories from leaders. Changes in daily life may be shifting for the majority of households during this time in efforts to reduce the spreading of the illness as well as, to comply with newly implemented community restrictions. In every home, this time of quarantine will look different. In addition to having to adjust routine, many conveniences are now, in fact, quite less convenient. However, the changes recently made by the US government during this pandemic have increased access to medical cannabis cards for residents in some legal states.
People over 60 and immuno-compromised are the most at risk for the increasingly life-threatening complications associated with the effect of this virus. The age demographic getting hit the hardest is also the same group turning to cannabis at the highest rate for other age-related conditions. In addition, many immuno-compromised people use cannabis to deal with other symptoms of their conditions. In this time of near-global panic, cannabis is a natural plant medicine, whose uses and value continues to grow. In times like this, it is the older population that reminds us of the importance of knowing how to survive when the store shelves are empty, including harvesting your own agriculture.
Cannabis has long been known to contain antibacterial cannabinoids, whose potential to address antibiotic resistance has not yet been fully investigated. All five major cannabinoids: cannabidiol (CBD), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), and delta (9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), have shown potent activity against a variety of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. Researchers can’t say exactly how these cannabinoids may prove to be superbug infection fighters but the early-stage research results are promising. THC and CBD also have been shown to have pain-relieving, sleep-inducing, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Some health systems are fast-tracking planned technology projects such as telemedicine, aimed at screening patients without requiring them to visit a hospital. The telemedicine bill allows the federal government to waive current HIPAA restrictions on virtual doctors to help deal with the public health emergency created by this virus outbreak. But the services covered for telemedicine is currently contingent upon what each state allows. But it will also open the way for more lasting changes in the coverage of virtual health care, including Skyping or Facetiming a doctor.
While Trump has given the states individual authority to cover telehealth services for all medical patients, the coronavirus legislation signed by President Donald Trump will also let Medicare expand the use of telemedicine in outbreak areas, potentially reducing infection risks for vulnerable seniors. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is also encouraging states to expand the use of telehealth in their Medicaid programs for low-income people. This new option will allow millions of people to take care of ongoing medical problems as well as new concerns while heeding public health advice to stay home during the outbreak. This includes patients seeking medical cannabis cards in legal states.
Those seeking a medical cannabis card in legal states at this time may think they are out of luck due to all the media scares. However, this new allowable expansion on telemedicine services only highlights the ease of access for applying for a medical cannabis card. Veriheal has been connecting doctors and potential patients virtually in states that previously allowed it, but due to these recent exceptions, it is even safer and easier to get a medical cannabis card using Veriheal’s service. Every state is approaching this new expansion differently in regard to cannabis so be sure to sign up to see if we are available in your state.
Nobody wants to spend time with paranoid Pete, but if you don’t choose your cannabis strains wisely, you could get flung into a portal of paranoia yourself. Funnily enough, a recent Marist poll found that almost a third of cannabis users in the U.S. use marijuana to ease anxiety or stress. A separate Marist poll…
Consuming alcohol heavily in young adulthood is associated with an increased likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD), the most widespread substance-related disorder worldwide. Research has already shed light on the effects of individual differences like alcohol sensitivity and cardiovascular responses in predicting binge drinking behaviors and progression to AUD. However, there remains a gap…
Alternative medicine is becoming more widely acknowledged and practiced than ever before, opening the door for therapies like psychedelics to enter the world of mainstream healthcare. One psychedelic that’s been getting a whole lot of attention lately is psilocybin, an active ingredient in mushroom species that are often called “magic mushrooms.” Psilocybin is a naturally…
Kentucky is once again exploring medical cannabis legalization, D.C. made good on its expungement promises, and Minnesota okayed a psychedelic task force. Let’s dive into this week’s cannanews. Kentucky Inches Toward Medical Cannabis Legalization Earlier this week, Kentucky’s State Senate passed a new proposal that seeks to legalize medical cannabis in the state. Under the…
The people of Japan, a country renowned for its sushi cuisine scene, iconic Mount Fuji, and eye-catching cherry blossom trees, may soon have access to legal medicinal marijuana for intractable diseases. On Tuesday, January 24, several legislative bills were unveiled by the Japanese government. One of the proposed bills would amend the Cannabis Control Law…
Maryland and Delaware are exploring their cannabis policies, a Texas representative introduced another decriminalization bill, and New Orleans okayed cannabis-infused seltzers. Let’s…
Who would have thought that cannabis cultivation could be Alaska’s biggest earner? Over the course of the next eight years, marijuana cultivation…
In 2018, former President Donald Trump signed the Farm Bill into law. The Farm Bill is the federal government’s primary agricultural and…