States with medical marijuana laws saw 20 percent drop in some opioid prescriptions
States with active medical marijuana laws saw certain opioid prescription rates drop nearly 20 percent compared to states without medical marijuana programs, according to a first-of-its-kind study out of Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center.
Authors said the findings underscore the importance of providing patients with pain management alternatives, such as cannabis, in efforts to reduce opioid use.
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Are You Prepared For Questions About Medical Cannabis?
With over 85% of Americans supporting legalizing medical cannabis, it’s inevitable that patients will begin asking their primary care doctors about its use and overall efficacy. Doctors and other medical professionals will be called upon to be ‘sense-makers’ for a treatment they never studied in medical school and have limited available research to draw upon. …
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Systematic review: Efficacy and safety of medical marijuana in selected neurologic disorders
Report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology: We performed a systematic review of medical marijuana (1948–November 2013) to address treatment of symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), epilepsy, and movement disorders. We graded the studies according to the American Academy of Neurology classification scheme for therapeutic articles. Read the full…
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An Alternative Treatment for Parkinson’s Patients
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and an opportune time to highlight the disease and how medical marijuana may be a beneficial treatment option for those living with the condition. Many Parkinson’s patients find themselves desperate for alternative treatment options that provide sufficient relief of their symptoms and help avoid or postpone the need for surgery…
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Medical Marijuana and Cancer
September is dedicated to recognizing numerous cancers that many around the world suffer from, including prostate, thyroid, ovarian and blood cancers. These cancers and many others can produce life-debilitating symptoms and conditions that are difficult to treat with traditional medications. Although there might not be one ‘perfect fix’ when it comes to curing cancer, medical…
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Florida doctors face new rules for medical marijuana (And how Arfinn Med can help)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – New rules laying out the do’s and don’ts physicians must follow when certifying patients to smoke medical marijuana took effect last week, but it’s not clear that doctors or patients are fully aware of them. Patients certified or recertified to smoke medical marijuana must sign a new standardized consent form as of last…
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Alternative Mississippi medical marijuana program barely wins approval from Senate
JACKSON • Legislation that would create a new medical marijuana program in Mississippi if the voter-approved Initiative 65 is overturned in court cleared the state Senate on the second try last week early on Friday morning. Senate Bill 2765, the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, failed by a single vote Thursday evening. But six hours later, after…
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