Case studies
Cannabis is a plant that was once considered taboo and is now at the center of an economy that is expanding all around the globe. The legalization of cannabis is a growing process due to the changes in the perception of its use, recognition of its medical usefulness, as well as due to the effect on the economy.
Here we are going to take a walk through the history of cannabis ban and liberalization, the medicinal values of cannabis, and the economic effect of cannabis. We will also look into the current and future consumer trends, cross-country analysis, and prospects of the future with its pros and cons.
Comparative Safety Profile
Opioids: A High-Risk Option
Opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine have for a long time been used in the management of severe pain. But there is the flip side to their application. In making its conclusion on the effectiveness of the steps taken, AT yielded the following from the CDC;
In 2018 alone, over 47,000 opioid overdose deaths were reported in the United States. These drugs are highly addictive, and patients who take them develop a dependency that leads to drug misuse and cases of drug overdosage. Some of the side effects of opioids are sedation, constipation and respiratory depression of which the latter can be lethal.
Cannabis: A Safer Alternative
However, cannabis is comparatively a much safer substance than the above-named drugs and has a very low-risk level. Cannabis has less addictive traits than opioids, this has been seen from research done on the effects of the drug. Through research on the same conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it is clear that out of a hundred chasers of this substance, only nine become dependent. Further, there is reported evidence of cannabis overdose and that shows that it is safer than Synthetic Cannabinoids in pain management.
Efficacy in Pain Management
Many research articles have tried to show that cannabis could indeed help in dealing with chronic pains. A paper in the Journal of Pain Research noted that cannabis medications decrease pain in patients having neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis among other chronic diseases.
Patients themselves also support the positive use of cannabis according to the reports. For instance, most of the patients testify to improvement in the value of life and pain management without the overbearing side effects of opioids.
Addressing Stigma
However, the use of cannabis still retains prejudice because it is related to the use of recreational products. Currently, Heartland Herbal Healing is using advocacy and education to ensure that Medical cannabis is legally accepted in society. In this regard, plans include engaging ayurvedic practitioners as well as creating awareness through fairs to educate people on the medicinal value of the substance.
Public Health Impact
The general use of medical marijuana can potentially bring huge positive effects towards public health. According to research that was conducted on the relation between medical cannabis laws and opioid deaths and presented in JAMA Internal Medicine, the states that support and have passed laws approving the medical use of cannabis had a 25% lower rate of opioid overdose deaths than states that have not passed any medical cannabis law. This implies that to decrease mortality and morbidity associated with opioids, medical cannabis may be critical.
Legal and Regulatory Landscape
This area of the law is still very dynamic due to the changing legal framework regarding the use of medical marijuana. Now 38 states in the U. S. have legalised medical marijuana and more states are legalising recreational marijuana. For instance, the MORE Act has been passed to reduce the penalties for the marijuana business, expunge the records of related criminal offences, and facilitate scientific investigation into the medical benefits of the substance. These have been vital for expanding the use of medical cannabis and the call for more research on its positive attributes.
Patient Empowerment
Education of patients is critical to decision-making on pain management as a critical element of health maintenance. Heartland Herbal Healing focuses on the patient’s knowledge and offers materials concerning the usefulness and possible side effects of marijuana. Even those patients who are not willing to invest finally present comprehensive consultations with skilled practitioners and guarantee patients will receive the best recommendations concerning their paths to recovery.
Challenges and Considerations
However, medical cannabis has the following challenges; Availability is a problem with the availability of the publication changing from time to time and from one state to another. Another vital strategy is the education of healthcare providers since most of them do not know cannabis therapeutics. Further, the coverage of medicines and therapies for cannabis is still scarce, which hinders the patients, especially in terms of finance.
It is for this reason that Heartland Herbal Healing is willing to work towards meeting these hurdles that are related to advocacy in an effort to ensure that formal partnerships that will help in increasing access and education are created.
Conclusion
Using cannabis instead of opioids in chronic pain therapy is a powerful option due to the lower risk and better effectiveness. Under the principles of Heartland Herbal Healing, the company focuses on the enhancement of the research of cannabis for medical purposes, education, and appropriate dispensing of the substance.
Regarding the key issues, the company seeks to address stigma, have a positive impact on public health, and adapt to shifts in legislation to assist in redefining pain management and positively impact the patients.