Patient education: Medical cannabis (The Basics)

What is cannabis? — This is a drug that comes from the leaves and flowers of the Cannabis plant. People often use the words "cannabis" and "marijuana" to mean the same thing.

In the US, cannabis is usually sold as leaves and buds. In Europe, a different form is more common. It is called "hashish" and is made from a sticky substance that comes from the plant.

Cannabis can be used in different forms. The drug can be:

●Smoked

●Inhaled with a "vaping" device

●Eaten as an "edible" product

●Taken as a liquid or oil

The ingredient in cannabis that makes people feel "high" is called "THC." The other main ingredient is called cannabidiol, or "CBD."

What is medical cannabis? — "Medical" cannabis is when a person uses the drug to help treat a health condition.

Cannabis is not recommended as the main treatment for any medical problems. But in some cases, it might help relieve pain or other symptoms.

Is medical cannabis legal? — The answer can be confusing. The US federal government considers cannabis to be illegal. At the same time, states have their own laws, and in certain states, adults can buy cannabis.

In many US states, and in some countries outside of the US, medical cannabis is legal. This means that adults can buy it if they meet specific requirements. This includes getting approval from a doctor.

Can doctors prescribe cannabis? — Typically, doctors cannot prescribe cannabis products directly. The exception is 2 medicines that are approved for use in the US in specific situations:

●Dronabinol (brand names: Marinol, Syndros) – This medicine is the main ingredient in cannabis, THC. It might be an option for some people who have nausea and vomiting related to cancer treatment. It is usually only prescribed after trying other treatments first.

●Cannabidiol (brand name: Epidiolex) – This medicine can be used to treat seizures in people with specific rare disorders. It does not contain THC and does not make you feel high.

These medicines do contain ingredients that are also found in cannabis. But they are made in a lab, as pills or liquid medicine. They have been studied and found to be safe when used in specific doses and situations.

With medical cannabis, doctors do not give prescriptions for the drug. Instead, they can give approval for people with certain medical conditions to buy it themselves. This is only an option in places where medical cannabis is legal.

What conditions can medical cannabis help with? — As discussed above, some prescription medicines include the same active ingredients that are in cannabis. Otherwise, there is not a lot of evidence to support cannabis use.

Cannabis might help ease pain and other symptoms caused by cancer or cancer treatment. It might also help with the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Different states have different rules about use.

If you have symptoms of a health problem, see a doctor or nurse. Do not try to treat the problem on your own.

What are the risks of medical cannabis? — Like all drugs, cannabis has risks. It can make it hard to focus, remember things, or think clearly. It also slows your reaction time and impairs your judgment.

Cannabis can also:

●Make your heart race

●Raise your blood pressure

●Make you breathe faster

●Make your eyes red

●Make your mouth dry

●Make you hungry

Sometimes, people use electronic "vaping" products that contain THC. This can be dangerous and lead to serious lung damage. While all forms of cannabis can cause health problems, this is especially true for vaping. That's because it's not always possible to know what is in these products, or what their long-term effects might be.

What should I do if I want to try medical cannabis? — Start by talking to your doctor or nurse. They can help you understand:

●If medical cannabis is legal where you live

●Whether your health problem qualifies you for this type of use

Then, you need to go through a specific process to get a "medical cannabis card." This card allows you to buy cannabis products at places that legally sell them.

Even if you are able to get cannabis without a card, it's not a good idea to use it to treat a health problem on your own.

What is cannabis use disorder? — Cannabis use disorder is basically the medical term for cannabis addiction. People used to think that cannabis was not addictive, but that's not true. Cannabis use disorder can be mild to severe.

If you think that you might have a problem with cannabis or any other drug, talk to your doctor or nurse. There are treatments that can help.

More on this topic

Patient education: Cannabis use disorder (The Basics)
Patient education: Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (The Basics)
Patient education: Vaping (The Basics)