July 5th, 2020

What People Over 55 Should Know About Marijuana and Healthcare

Are you over the age of 55? (If you’re not, share this with your parents or grandparents, please.) How do you feel about marijuana? You’ve probably grown up in the post baby boomer generation when the war on drugs included marijuana labeled as the gateway drug. That probably sounds crazy, given the fact that 28 states now have laws in place for legal access to cannabis, while ten states have measures on the 2018 ballot. While scientific evidence shows the medical benefits of cannabis, beware of political scare tactics that use the word “marijuana” as they are often inaccurate, false, and out of touch. As a citizen, stand up for your right for safe alternative health options wherever you live. Don’t let a politician tell you what’s best for your health; shouldn’t that be decided between you and your doctor? Learn what Colorado has to say about cannabis and its senior population, click here.

What’s all the fuss about? Plenty, we’ve been misled! It’s hard to fathom that in a free nation, the people’s government would suppress a natural life-saving medication that would change the lives of children, veterans, adults, cancer patients, and the list goes on. In fact, the US government holds Patent number: 6,630,507; which covers the potential use of non-psychoactive cannabinoids in the cannabis plant for medical purposes. With the help of scare tactics, politicians often promote inaccurate information to intimidate constitutes, like senior citizens who are led to believe cannabis consumption is unhealthy and dangerous. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Who benefits? The millions of senior citizens on daily prescriptions can immediately benefit from cannabis products! In some cases, the side effects of prescribed medications range from uncontrollable body functions to life-threatening conditions, like cancer. Now, why on earth would the government keep us from life saving medications with only minor side effects AND can relieve disorders like arthritis, lupus, irritable bowel syndrome and other inflammation conditions? Good question; anyone over 55 with inflammation, chronic illness, or pain should seriously consider cannabis and ask their doctor what they know about cannabis treatments. If the doctor says they have no information or studies to back up claims, please reply with, “Shame on you, Doc.” In today’s healthcare environment, doctors and healthcare professionals cannot and should NOT turn a blind eye to scientific facts which support the health benefits of cannabis. Not convinced cannabis is medicine, watch this clip.

What’s different about today’s marijuana? First, only politicians and law-makers still call it marijuana, which is NOT the scientific term. but a moniker coined by the same people who made the laws decades ago. If you’ve ever seen the movie Reefer Madness, (watch full length movie here) a marijuana propaganda film, it depicts cannabis users as crazed dangerous dope fiends on the brink of madness preying on high school teens. Well, we now know it’s all poppycock! Cannabis is not the dangerous street drug you were lead to believe growing up. Found in cannabis, THC and CBD are two of the many cannabinoids in the plant to treat medical issues. THC creates a psychoactive effect, while CBD does not; allowing the patient to customize dosage based on specific needs. While CBD extracts are proven to treat severe forms of epilepsy in children and adults, the US Drug Enforcement Administration considers CBD extraction from hemp or cannabis a federal crime; therefore, blocking research on a preventive medication from reaching innocent children. Cannabis is not always about getting high, but more about getting healthy.

Stop thinking of cannabis as an enemy and embrace the opportunity to become healthy, pain-free, and happy… naturally! Ask your local senior center to offer informational presentations on cannabis as an alternative medicine. Yes, as someone over 55, I would love to speak from personal experience at your next senior meeting, over a cup of coffee, or reach out here. The more we know about our alternative healthcare options, the more powerful [and healthy] we become. Let’s talk!