Myths and Misconceptions Surrounding Medical Marijuana Use

While evidence for the possible medicinal uses of cannabis for treatment continues to accumulate, some myths about medical marijuana unfortunately create barriers to widespread acceptance of physician-supervised use. In our doctors’ combined decades of experience, we’ve come across many of these myths, and we know that successful treatment requires distinguishing between myths and facts.

Medical Marijuana and the US

It is a fallacy that medicinal marijuana is new in America or that it has just lately been proposed as a medical treatment. Cannabis was widely used as a nonprescription medication in America during the 1800s and early 1900s, and it was included in the United States Pharmacopoeia as early as 1850. Despite legislation essentially criminalizing marijuana in 1937, the New York Academy of Medicine actively opposed it, claiming that cannabis did not create violence or addiction.

Several government-sponsored and independent medical studies advocated for the use of medical cannabis in the decades since. Notably, the bipartisan Shafer Commission advocated decriminalising marijuana for personal use in 1972. Even though it took another qtr-century for the first state to legalise medicinal cannabis, it is a myth that this was a spur-of-the-moment decision—the truth is that various medical experts have supported marijuana use in every decade since the 1930s legislation.

As with industrial hemp, there are numerous myths surrounding medicinal cannabis. This misunderstanding obstructs its wider acceptance and raises awareness of the numerous benefits of cannabis therapies. Let’s try to debunk a few of these beliefs.

Myth: #1 Government Approved Drugs are Works Better Than Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana may be a viable option for people who require treatment but discover that some traditional drugs are ineffective. However, it’s important to remember that these treatments may have side effects and interactions that marijuana does not. While an individual may enjoy the effects of medical cannabis, relying on it as their sole treatment may not always be the best option.

Myth: #2 Cannabis is a gateway drug

Cannabis can be a gateway drug for certain people, but this is not due to any intrinsic qualities of the plant. If you are prone to addiction, you may find yourself wanting to experiment with other drugs after consuming marijuana. This isn’t because marijuana is addictive or leads users to take additional substances; rather, these people have a genetic predisposition to problems with substance abuse and are more likely than others to become addicted regardless of what substance they begin such as–including cigarettes or alcohol (the most commonly used legal gateway drugs).

There’s also no evidence that anybody has ever been “hooked” on cannabis alone without having another substance involved at some point throughout their usage history–and there are lots of cases of people quitting marijuana without experiencing any substantial consequences. The truth is that cannabis isn’t going away any time soon, so if you want to try a fresh approach but aren’t sure how much of an influence it’s going to have on the way you live, continue with your traditional medicinal approach

Myth: #3 You can Overdose on Marijuana

This is a very prevalent myth that has been around for a long time. The truth is that it is impossible for someone to overdose tragically on cannabis by itself, according to a research published in the American Journal of Public Health, which found no deaths reported related to cannabis usage between 1999 and 2007. The same cannot be said for alcohol or caffeine (a more harmful drug), which can be fatal if ingested excessively over time.

Myth: #4 Cannabis is linked to mental illness.

Some audacious claims have been made in an attempt to use science to disprove one of the most prevalent medical cannabis myths. This is the fallacy that cannabis causes mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia. This misconception necessitates clarification. Cannabis can contribute to the beginning of psychotic disease in people who are prone to it. Cannabis is commonly used by people who are prone to anxiety, depression, and other mental diseases, yet there is no proof that cannabis causes these conditions in the first place. Again, as with any medical treatment, working with a doctor who can monitor the cannabinoids’ interactions with a patient’s unique biochemistry is critical.

Conclusion

To combat these myths, it is essential to work with MMJ doctors in Los Angeles to distinguish between myths and facts about medical marijuana. Medical marijuana may be a viable option for people who require treatment and find that traditional drugs are ineffective.
Overall, obtaining a medical marijuana card in Los Angeles and working with a licensed MMJ doctor can help individuals explore the benefits of medical marijuana while dispelling common myths and misconceptions.