Myths and Facts About Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana is getting more mainstream attention lately, but there’s still a lot of confusion surrounding the treatment. A board-certified internist, Dr. David Zweiback is also a licensed medical marijuana provider at in Vorhees, NJ.

If you have questions, Dr. Zweiback can demystify this form of medical therapy and let you know what sets it apart from other prescription solutions.

Myth: Medical marijuana is illegal

OK, this one isn’t actually a myth. But it’s not entirely true, either. Blame the confusion on differing state and federal guidelines.

In Pennsylvania, where Dr. Zweiback practices, medical marijuana — the medicinal-grade cannabis plant and its pure extracts — are legal when prescribed by a licensed practitioner. Medical marijuana is also legal in over 30 states and the District of Columbia. But, it’s still illegal in some states and on a federal level.

If Dr. Zweiback writes you a prescription for medical marijuana, use it only according to his instructions, and don’t cross state lines with it.

Myth: Medical marijuana just gets you high

Medical-grade marijuana, or cannabis sativa, relies on two naturally occurring chemicals: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC creates more of the euphoric sensation associated with marijuana, but CBD doesn’t cause this effect.

THC and CBD offer several of the same benefits medically, but one might address specific issues better than others. For example, CBD typically provides better results in treating seizures and migraines, while THC might offer greater relief from muscle spasms and glaucoma.

When Dr. Zweiback prescribes marijuana for a medical condition, you take specific combinations of these extracts, often with higher levels of CBD. That’s because the overall goal of medical marijuana is managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life, not getting you “high.”

Myth: You have to smoke medical marijuana

In fact, you can take medical marijuana in different forms, including:

Smoking it
Inhaling it as a mist
Eating or drinking it
Applying it to your skin in oils, creams, lotions, or sprays
Placing liquid under your tongue

Each formula works differently with your body, so Dr. Zweiback can make recommendations about your best option to manage your medical condition.

Myth: Medical marijuana doesn’t have proven uses

In fact, doctors have used medical marijuana since the 1970s to treat glaucoma because it decreases intraocular pressure in the eyes. Since then, clinical applications of medical marijuana have expanded to include:

Epilepsy
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Huntington’s disease
Spinal cord injuries
Neuropathy
HIV/AIDS
Cancer

This extensive use is because of medical marijuana’s ability to treat numerous symptoms, including pain, nausea, muscle stiffness, and lack of appetite.

Myth: Anyone can get medical marijuana

In fact, to use medical marijuana, you need a prescription from a specially licensed physician like Dr. Zweiback.

Before prescribing medical marijuana, Dr. Zweiback reviews your medical history, gives you a comprehensive physical exam, and looks for the presence of specific symptoms, such as: