By summer of 2018, Canada will be legalizing cannabis. The stigma surrounding medical cannabis as a course of treatment has already begun to slowly fade away. The general perception of cannabis is changing. But decades of criminalization have, understandably, made new medical cannabis patients wary of whether it’s the right choice for them.
If you are a prospective medical cannabis patient, know that it’s okay to have questions about this alternative treatment option. In fact, you may have many questions, particularly if you’re considering making a switch from prescription opiates or you’re trying to find a way to incorporate medical cannabis with other medications. Your questions are valid, and you’re not alone in asking them.
With all that in mind, let’s answer three of your most pressing questions about medical cannabis.
1. Is
…show more content…
Addiction is on many patients’ minds nowadays because of the recent opioid epidemic that has seen many people become heavily dependent and addicted to prescription drugs.
The answer to this question, however, is that while there is a potential to develop a dependence on cannabis, the potential for addiction to the drug is very low.
Often, the terms dependence and addiction are confused with one another, leading to misunderstandings about cannabis use. Dependence refers to when someone may experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using a medicine or substance regularly. Addiction refers to compulsive use of a medicine or substance, despite any negative physical, social, or financial impacts it may have on the users’ lives.
Since medical cannabis is a natural medicine, there are few withdrawal symptoms that might impact your daily routine. On the opposite end of the spectrum, opioids carry a much higher risk of addiction, and its withdrawal symptoms can kill you.
2. Is Medical Cannabis