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Medical Marijuana For Cancer Patients In Missouri
Does Cancer Qualify For Medical Marijuana in Missouri?
Missouri's medical marijuana law was passed on November 6, 2018, and went into effect on December 6, 2018. Similar to other states with medical marijuana programs, Missouri has approved cancer as a qualifying condition for treatment with cannabis, and this is for good reason. According the National Cancer Institute, there are approximately 15 million Americans currently living with cancer, and roughly 70,000 new cancer diagnoses are made each year in the State of Missouri.
How Medical Marijuana Can Help Cancer Patients
The available evidence, although somewhat limited, demonstrates that cannabis is an incredibly powerful and safe medicine for individuals living with cancer and treatment-related side effects. In particular, the power of marijuana to alleviate nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, pain, depression, anxiety, and insomnia have been well documented and offer the potential for significant relief to those undergoing treatment for cancer.
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence supporting the effectiveness of marijuana in helping those living with cancer, however the amount of research from the United States is limited due to the legal status of marijuana under federal law. Researchers from overseas have picked up the slack, and they have been able to clearly demonstrate that marijuana can help in managing the following:
Chronic Pain
Living with pain can be unbearable, and many patients turn to opiate-based medications for the relief they need. Unfortunately, continued use of opiate-based medications can result in significant unwanted side effects and has the potential to lead to addiction. Medical marijuana has proven incredibly effective at providing pain relief, and it may have some anti-inflammatory effects as well. Some treatment plans may make use of both opioids and marijuana in order to reduce the dosage of opiate medication that is needed. Recent studies have long found that individuals using marijuana extracts during clinical trials tended to need less opioid-based pain medication.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy is often associated with damage to nerves, which can unfortunately occur when undergoing chemotherapy and other forms of cancer treatments. Neuropathy can be a difficult sensation to describe, as symptoms vary significantly from individual to individual. Patients often experience weakness, numbness, tingling, needles, or burning sensations. Exactly how marijuana helps isn’t yet clear, but many patients with neuropathy report feeling significant relief after using cannabis.
Nausea
It is well known that nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. A variety of medical cannabis products have been demonstrated to significantly reduce nausea and other unwanted side-effects from these treatments.
Appetite Loss
Similar to nausea, loss of appetite is often a side effect of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Without an appetite, it can become challenging for cancer patients to consume enough calories. This can result in loss of muscle mass, chronic fatigue, and a decline in mobility. However, specific cannabinoids have proven to be effective method to restore appetite for individuals undergoing treatment.
3 Easy Steps
Medical Marijuana
Get approved to legally obtain, consume, transport and possess medical marijuana from a licensed Missouri marijuana dispensary.
Schedule an Appointment
Schedule your medical marijuana evaluation today. Book online or call our helpful Patient Support Center.
Best Prices in Missouri
We offer a variety of payment methods as well as payment plan options and veteran discounts.
Is Medical Marijuana Right For You?
Everyone is different. Medical Marijuana has the potential to provide significant relief for some people, and not as much for others. With medical marijuana now legal in Missouri, the choice is up to you! If you're interested in trying medical marijuana, but you don't want to get the "high" feeling often associated with the plant, don't worry! There are new medical marijuana products that isolate the plant's therapeutic compounds while eliminating much of the THC that is responsible for the "high".
Missouri Marijuana Card Is Here To Help Every Step Of The Way!
Missouri Marijuana Card has doctor offices throughout the State of Missouri that specialize in helping qualifying patients access medical marijuana. If you’re interested in discussing whether medical marijuana is right for you, we're here to help you every step of the way. Give us a call, or schedule an appointment online for more information. You can also check out our frequently asked questions page.