Chapter 16 - Medical Marijuana Flashcards
When was medical marijuana first introduced into western medicine?
About 150 years ago.
How was medical marijuana originally administered?
As a tincture.
What is a tincture?
A solution with alcohol.
What was medical marijuana originally used for?
Pain and as a sedative.
What started original fears about marijuana?
Prohibition
After prohibition, when was medical marijuana “rediscovered”?
1970s and 1980s.
Before our current laws, how could a patient get medical marijuana?
Needed an exemption directly from the Minister of Heath.
How many exemptions were given by the Minister of Health for medical marijuana?
Around 50.
What did the 2000 Ontario Court of Appeals rule?
That the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act was unconstitutional because it forced a person to choose between health and imprisonment.
As of 2001, what 3 categories of people can apply for medical marijuana?
- Terminally ill with less than a year to live.
- Symptoms such as severe pain caused by MS, spinal cord injury, HIV/AIDS, arthritis, epilepsy.
- Symptoms due to conditions not listed above (as long as an expert says its reasonable).
Applications for medical marijuana require…
A doctor’s prescription.
18 years +
Maximum supply that can be dispensed at one time?
30 day supply
What is medical marijuana usually used for in Canada?
Arthritis pain, followed by severe nausea.
What types of diseases are dispensaries claiming marijuana can treat?
Depression, anxiety, addiction, bipolar disorder, ADHD, chronic pain, seizures, MS.
Active ingredients in marijuana
THC and cannabidiol.
What type of effect does THC have?
Psychogenic
What type of effect does cannabidiol have?
Anti-inflammatory
What does the evidence say about using marijuana to treat epilepsy
No reliable conclusion
What does the evidence say about using marijuana to treat dementia
Does not lessen symptoms.
What positive things can marijuana do according to the evidence?
Decrease pain, decrease nausea, decrease muscle spasm, and help with weight gain.
What negative things does marijuana do according to the evidence?
Increases risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Impairs memory and cognition.
If marijuana is to be used as a medicine, how should it be delivered and sold?
As a synthetic cannabis derived pharmaceutical as it allows for more accurate delivery, and better safety and efficacy.
