Treating Arthritis with Medical Marijuana

According to a USA Today report, as of January 6, a total of 20 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized the use of medical marijuana to treat certain medical conditions. The use of medical cannabis is nothing new to the world, especially to those who still practice traditional Chinese medicine. In ancient times, marijuana was just one of the numerous herbs the Chinese used to treat rheumatism, muscle spasms, and parasitic infections.

Over 150 medical conditions are specified to be treatable with marijuana in those U.S. states that do permit its medical use. One of these conditions is arthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arthritis is the most common reason behind disability, affecting more than 21 million American adults. Those who suffer from arthritis are likely to have one or more inflamed joints, and thus experience pain and limited movement.

However, before people with arthritis can explore medical marijuana as a treatment option, they must first consult with doctors and healthcare practitioners. More importantly, they must obtain documentation from their trusted physician specifying how the substance is part of their treatment. Only afterward can they use a reliable medicine dispensing system to get just the amount of medical marijuana they need.