Are you concerned about the growing number of cannabis shops in your neighbourhood?
You shouldn’t be. The contents of these little shops are helping people of all ages lead happier, healthier and more productive lives. The pills you pick up at the pharmacy without a second thought for yourself and your loved ones may be far more dangerous, and with the monitored and moderate use of THC and/or CBD, you might be able to eliminate some of those monthly prescriptions altogether! Don’t worry about a shop being near a school, as kids can’t see in the door, let alone buy any of the products. And keep in mind that kids have been selling pot to one another for decades- at least this is safe and regulated, and isn’t laced with anything questionable. The “budtenders” are typically well trained, knowledgeable, informative and cautious.
The chemical components of cannabis include CBD and THC. The high comes from the THC, which can help reduce pain, but CBD doesn’t have the high many people want to avoid when dealing with the general public.. It DOES, however, impact the brain, making it function better. More health benefits of cannabis are being discovered all the time, now that governments all over the world are finally realizing how insane it was to criminalize this medicinal plant in the first place. Although research has been allowed, off and on, over the past few decades, the freedom to truly discover the magic of this “weed” is growing, and with it, widespread use and appreciation. There are still haters out there, but that is mainly due to a lack of education, or brainwashing throughout generations of people who wrongfully believe that marijuana is no different than crack or heroin.
Of the chemical compounds in cannabis, the many cannabinoids have been proven to provide relief from chronic pain. The use of medical cannabis is quite effective in many patients who would have otherwise been prescribed opiates, which are highly addictive. For decades, doctors weren’t allowed to prescribe medical cannabis, and those who could benefit from it feared legal repercussions, so they opted for dangerous opiates instead. The misinformation and propaganda that led to the criminalization of marijuana so long ago is likely a big part of the reason there is an opioid pandemic today
Cancer patients aren’t the only ones who can benefit from medical marijuana while undergoing the nausea and loss of appetite that comes with chemotherapy and the pain of radiation. The treatment for hepatitis C has similar side effects that include nausea, fatigue, depression, and muscle aches. Cannabis can help reduce the side effects while making treatment more effective at the same time. There is even evidence to suggest that cannabis can help fight certain types of cancer.
Multiple sclerosis is one of many diseases or disorders that lead to painful muscle contractions. These painful symptoms can be reduced with the use of cannabis. It has been associated with glaucoma treatment for decades, as it helps temporarily relieve the painful pressure on the eyes associated with the condition. The endocannabinoid in cannabis contains anti-inflammatories that don’t only work on the eyes and body, but the brain as well. Diseases like Alzheimer’s, and even aging itself, leads to cognitive degeneration and inflammation of the brain that can be slowed with the use of cannabis. These anti-inflammatories work all over the body, and the use of CBD and THC are effective for arthritis and muscle pain when used internally or rubbed over the affected areas in the form of a cream or balm.
Seizure disorders including epilepsy can be treated with CBD. A growing number of patients and parents of children with extreme and regular seizures are finding that CBD has changed and improved the quality of life for themselves and their loved ones.
Regarding mood disorders,from anxiety and depression, to extreme mood swings as a result of autism, users find that cannabis can help them calm down and control how they feel- the feeling of anxiety that some patients get from use can be curbed by moderating and monitoring the dosage. It is also often effective in sleep disorders. It can help sufferers of ADD/ADHD improve focus and cognitive performance, which is much safer than prescribing drugs that are commonly sold on the street instead of actually used by the patient. In addition, patients with PTSD from various traumas experience a “fight or flight” response when they are triggered. Cannabis calms the individual, preventing the reaction from getting out of control. According to Bone Research Laboratory in Tel Aviv, cannabis actually helps heal bones and helps strengthen the bone in the process of healing, making it less likely for the patient to break the bone a second time.
Addiction- Those suffering from withdrawal, or still tempted to reach for a bottle or a needle to escape the world around them can reach for cannabis instead, which is FAR safer and less addictive. The long-term effects may include a reduction in cravings for riskier substances, as cannabis is effective for nausea and can aid in sleep deprivation.
The list goes on and on…increased lung capacity, help with tremors from Parkinson’s, gut-healing properties, the regulation and prevention of insulin and therefore diabetes and weight gain, and overall FUN in the right environment with a pizza on the way!
Don’t turn your nose up at this incredible plant. Talk to your doctor to see if cannabis can benefit you and your loved ones and then visit your nearest budtender or CBD dealer for guidance, details and relief from all that ails you, mind, body and soul!
story by Melissa Peters, pics / video Paul Murton
