Legal in 33 states, including New Jersey, medical marijuana is becoming more widely used to treat a variety of conditions, including epilepsy, chronic pain, and anxiety. In New Jersey, medical marijuana use has tripled in the last three years.
The most common use of medical marijuana is for chronic pain. Part of the appeal of cannabis for chronic pain is that it can help minimize the use of opioids, which are highly addictive.
At Orange Orthopaedic Associates, James M. Lee Jr., MD, offers medical marijuana evaluations to determine if this treatment method is an option for you.
California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. Soon afterward, a handful of other states followed suit. New Jersey legalized medical marijuana use in 2010.
There are hundreds of chemicals in marijuana that give it its unique quality with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) as the two main ones used in medicine or marijuana-related products.
THC is the chemical that gives users that high feeling, and CBD is the chemical that can calm and relax you without the high.
There are many different forms of medical marijuana. You can smoke it, inhale it with a vaporizer, eat it, apply it as a cream, or place a few drops of a liquid form of it under your tongue or in a beverage.
Each method works differently. Dr. Lee can help determine the best form for your condition.
Medical marijuana is used to treat a variety of conditions. Federal law prohibits any use of medical marijuana, but the FDA has approved cannabis-derived and cannabis-related drugs to treat certain forms of epilepsy and to treat nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy.
Some studies show that marijuana has benefits in treating chronic pain, muscle stiffness from multiple sclerosis, and Crohn’s disease. Research also suggests it may help:
Medical marijuana shows promise as a treatment for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and glaucoma. Further studies are needed, but anecdotal evidence and early research points to treatment benefits.
During your evaluation, Dr. Lee performs a comprehensive review of your medical history to determine if you qualify for the state’s medical marijuana program. He also explains the various forms of medicinal marijuana to help you figure out the best one for your needs.
If you’re interested in using medical marijuana to treat chronic pain or other conditions, call us at Orange Orthopaedic Associates to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Lee. You can also schedule an appointment through this website.
Our offices are located in West Orange, Bayonne, and Tenafly, New Jersey.
