The myths and realities of medical cannabis

The myths and realities of medical cannabis .

If you are considering medical cannabis as a treatment for yourself, or for a loved one, you probably have more questions than answers. The amount of information available about cannabis can seem overwhelming. At the CMCCA we explain the procedure followed to become a patient registered with the CMCCA. It is important to discuss with your doctor about medical cannabis therapy. We hope these resources will provide you with information to better prepare you for this discussion.

Myths : Marijuana is a prohibited drug sold on the street.
Reality: As long as your doctor has authorized your purchase of medical cannabis and as long as the cannabis purchased is obtained from an Licensed Producer (LP) such as the CMCCA, it is completely legal.

Myths : Marijuana is marijuana. It does not matter where it comes from?
Reality: Medical cannabis sold by PAs is grown in a strictly controlled environment. For example, the ACCMQ adheres to pharmaceutical quality production standards, to which products undergo up to 281 quality control points before being delivered to patients. According to studies, cannabis bought on the street or from health clinics often contains heavy metals, pesticides, molds and other contaminants.

Myth:
Freezing is the only reason for taking marijuana.
Reality: According to several patients the « gel » reported by medical cannabis is an undesired side effect. It is important to understand the difference between delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and canabidiol (CBD). THC is responsible for the gel, which means that products with a higher THC content could cause the side effect of freezing. Our products with a THC content of less than 1% and a CBD content of 13% have almost no similar side effects.

Myth: To use medical cannabis I will have to smoke joints.
Reality: Spray is the optimal delivery method for dried cannabis flowers. Unlike smoking, vaporization is achieved when the cannabis is warmed to the temperature where the cannabinoids are transformed into steam, but are not burned. This virtually eliminates all the health risks associated with the act of smoking. Cannabis oils allow patients to ingest their medications and pave the way for patients who can not or do not want to inhale cannabis steam. The oils consist of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD which are extracted from the cannabis plant and infused into an edible oil.

Myth: If my boss finds out I’m using medical marijuana, I’ll be fired.
Reality: For many employers, medical cannabis is new treatment modality. They do not have specific policies in place to address it. However, medical cannabis is a legal drug prescribed by your doctor. You should feel comfortable discussing it with your employer. Since it can help alleviate symptoms, many patients find that medical cannabis improves their ability to work. The likelihood of your prescription being covered by insurance may increase to the extent that your employer believes that medical cannabis helps improve your professional abilities.

Myth: Once I’ve received my prescription, I can get my medical marijuana anywhere.
Reality: From the moment your doctor has completed your medical document and you are registered with an AP, you can order only from this AP. You can register with more than one AP at a time but your doctor must complete a single medical document specifically for each AP. Marijuana bought on the street or from a clinic is illegal even if you are already registered with an AP.

Myth: My cannabis is a medicine so I can drive under its effects without problems.
Reality: As a medically treated cannabis patient you should be careful not to be intoxicated while operating vehicles or other heavy machinery. Even if your prescription is completely legal, you can be charged with driving under the influence of marijuana, and most importantly it can be dangerous. The College of Family Physicians of Canada recommends that patients who consume dried cannabis not drive for at least four hours after inhalation and six hours after oral ingestion. If the patient experiences euphoria, the College suggests an eight hour wait.

Myth: Cannabis heals cancer.
Reality: Medical cannabis can relieve several symptoms experienced by cancer patients, including pain and other side effects due to chemotherapy. Medical cannabis should not be used as a substitute for conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Consult your doctor before changing your medical therapy. Some studies have suggested that THC and CBD can slow the growth of tumors, but the evidence is so limited that it is irresponsible to position their use to cure cancer.