Majority Of Patients Prefer Cannabis To Opioids For Pain Management
An overwhelming majority of patients prefer to go with cannabis over opioid medication in order to treat their symptoms, according to a recent study that was published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
There are millions of people around the world who prefer cannabis in order to treat their symptoms and they firmly believe that cannabis is just as effective for them and their pain and other symptoms, as any opioid medication would be for them. This is why many of them continue to take cannabis in the place of pharmaceuticals or along with them, to try and get comfort that big pharma can't provide them.
The current findings from Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research suggest that at least 93 percent of patients preferred cannabis.
Many patients find that they are able to use less opioids when they are using cannabis and also that when they use the cannabis that they see less negative side effects, compared to when they take the big pharma opioid-based medications.
This isn't the first time that is has been suggested that a growing number of consumers might be looking to cannabis in order to find help for their symptoms.
Because of the growing interest surrounding cannabis, especially when it comes to replacing opioid use, it's been suggested that cannabis might be able to help end the “opioid addiction epidemic” that's perceived to be a growing problem by many, in a number of different states.
Because of the threat to big pharmaceutical companies and the risk that their customers will opt for cannabis instead of their medications, it's no wonder that they might feel a little threatened by the concept of legalization and why they might be against it.
Despite federal restrictions surrounding cannabis, the US market continues to grow steadily and is now said to be on par with that of the retail market for ice cream and frozen pizza.
Sales of legal cannabis are around $4 billion, but of course illegal sales are estimated to be much higher. By 2020 they expect the cannabis market to be around $20 billion, growing at roughly 25 percent every year.
A majority of the states in the US now allow for either medicinal or recreational cannabis to be sold, consumed etc.
It's clear that an overwhelming number of Americans want the war against this plant to come to an end, they don't find it to be an intelligent use of resources to initiate violence against someone or lock them in a cage because of their personal cannabis use.
Millions of people use cannabis for their symptoms of pain, nausea, anxiety, and more. And it should be considered a violation of their human rights, for the state to categorize someone as a criminal simply because they are trying to heal themselves and relieve their pain. That's the case for many not only in the US but around the world, those who are using cannabis for medical treatment in places where it's “prohibited” are marked as criminals and at risk of loosing their semblance of freedom because of their pro-cannabis choices.
Shouldn't adults get to decide what they want to do with and put into their own bodies, or do we not own our own bodies? If someone is consuming something in a peaceful manner and isn't bothering anyone else then what business is it of theirs? Dying people shouldn't be considered criminals simply because they turn to a plant for remedy. The label of criminal should be reserved only for those who initiate violence against other people and/or their property, and such “drug activity” doesn't make the cut.
It's becoming quite a mess for a number of businesses, financial institutions, border guards, and many others, who are trying to navigate through the current gray area surrounding cannabis in the US; being legalized in a number of states though criminalized federally. It shouldn't be this hard for those in power to admit that a mistake has been made, in regards to the nonsense war on drugs, and to try and rectify that mistake by changing that mistake and the situation.
Instead, they want to march on blindly, despite the decades of proof that the war on drugs will never accomplish its goal and that the effort causes a lot more harm for society than good.
Pics:
Pixabay
The information that is posted above is not intended or implied to ever be used as any substitute for professional medical advice, or diagnosis or treatment. The above is posted for informational purposes only.
Sources:
http://www.sciencealert.com/93-of-patients-prefer-cannabis-over-opioids-for-managing-their-pain-according-to-new-study
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradauerbach/2017/07/02/the-war-on-drugs-the-business-of-cannabis-and-the-judicial-horizon-all-remain-murky/#4f40d09b1781
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/94174680/dying-kiwis-become-criminals-as-they-turn-to-medicinal-cannabis
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jul/01/seattle-retirement-home-cannabis-tours
https://steemit.com/cannabis/@doitvoluntarily/2016-cannabis-sales-surpass-usd6-7-billion
Related Posts:
5 Big Pharma Companies Sued Over Their Contribution To Opioid Crisis
Cannabis Could Help With Alcoholism And Opioid Addiction, New Study Says
New Research Suggests Painkillers Might Make Chronic Pain Worse
Big Pharma Funding Cannabis Opposition
https://steemit.com/cannabis/@doitvoluntarily/big-pharma-funding-cannabis-opposition
Im not an expert but i think weed is less addictive and less damaging than opium.
Indeed. I'm no expert either but I was a weed smoker in my youger days and I don't think I was addicted. When I was using oxycodone pills I was highly addicted, mentally and physically.
I am glad you are doing great and have recovered.
Thank you :-)
having used both, I know for a fact that Cannabis is less addictive than Opiates. Was on Opiates for severe pain for 5 years, moved back to California and got back on a regular regimen of cannabis. Now I rarely have to use pain meds. When you are on opiates for a long period of time and miss a dose, you get very sick. With Cannabis, I can take it or leave it without illness or any other side effects.
weed is totally non addictive, pls. don't be fulled by them, you'd need to take 25 tons of the stuff at once to have any serious side effects, being using cannabis for more then 20 yeas, however very important, and just as with anything in life...moderation is the key, use it as a med. and you'll find better results, iamstephen
It's a miracle that people are able to use cannabis to replace even some of the opiates they take for pain management. Cannabis is a much better option, especially since some conditions are treatable with pure CBD - not even psychoactive if the user doesn't want it to be.
I am definitely one of these patients myself!
I know from experience how damaging opiates can be, I'm a recovering addict. Started out as a medication for some minor pain in my back, the doctors were quick to prescribe painkillers. Not long after that it became a few hundred dollar a day habit. Nearly lost my house, my job, and my family. I know opiates help some people with pain management, but I've personally seen too many good people who used these drugs recreationally become full blown heroin addicts. Cannabis needs to be a choice for pain management, in my humble opinion. unfortunately with the stranglehold that big pharma has on our healthcare system, I don't forsee that happening in the near future.
Great post! We should absolutely be free to decide what we do with our own bodies. We are moving toward legalisation of cannabis for medical use here in Ireland, but the idea that there should be legislation at all is ridiculous.
I live in Ireland and have been waiting for ages for it. I asked my doctor recently about when we might expect legislation to be passed... His reply was "honestly, I wouldn't expect it to be within the next few years in reality." They have said that they are only accepting for three reasons...certain form of epilepsy, with chemo, and MS. They are not considering it for pain relief as they say there is no proof of any relief!
Rubbish! It is proven that it is efficacious in pain relief. I'm in pain 24/7, and am prescribed drugs that have deadly side-effects, which I refuse to take. Breaking the law (my physio actually recommended cannabis...unofficially) is my only choice.
Also add my regret and sympathy, katdvine ... if you can get anything as small as even a half oz of street cannabis, make some of this stuff ... https://steemit.com/cannabis/@lightmatters/super-easy-cannabis-infused-coconut-oil
Don't worry too much about strain, even just OK weed will work. I think the lower THC content is better as it will have inherently more CBD. I've been making my infusion for about 4 years. It is very effective. I have a guide to dosing and calculating converted THC content in the post.
Sorry to hear that @katdvine. 24/7 pain is hard to imagine. I guess the best you can do with ridiculous laws is to ignore them. That's what I do ........but don't tell anyone!
Thanks for your reply. It is ridiculous, but then it's all about money and big pharma as usual. The physio knows several patients who also use cannabis, and it works, and recommended it to me...but it's ridiculous that we have to break the law and risk prison just to be able to have a pain free life.
If only medicinal cannabis were to be legalised, it would actually cost the health service less, free up hospital beds and free up doctors waiting rooms. The prescriptions for Nsaids and Opioids costs the government far more, plus they actually exacerbate the condition and pain in the long run (they cause eroding of the cartilage). I'll upvote when I can.
I would think cannabis would be the only way to go. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for educating the public about Big Pharma and alternative cures. We really need to enlighten the people about that in order to push for a federal and thus worldwide legalization of medical cannabis.
I just wish it would be available here. I am waiting for it instead of the Opioids I am forced to take when the pain is unbearable. I was also prescribed Nsaids but refuse to take them.
@doitvoluntarily Great post. Love to know what you think to this: https://steemit.com/life/@tarquinmaine/morphic-resonance-rupert-sheldrake-and-meeting-the-maestro-himself-at-a-psychedelic-conference-of-course
I would love to find out what works best, I'm taking opoids abd cannabis is illegal in the UK, my body my choice