When a jurisdiction transitions from medicinal-use-only to full cannabis legalization, it impacts older adults in different ways. In California, for example, full legalization has blurred the distinction between medicinal and adult use, as seniors frequently bypass the medical registration route entirely, and simply purchase their medicine in the state’s full service dispensaries. In the case of Canada, however, which went fully legal one year ago, the change has been both substantive and substantial.
Dr. Jess Goodman, a veteran physician and cannabis specialist, and his colleague, Nurse Practitioner Alanna Coleman, work extensively with older adults out of their Toronto practice. I spoke with them about how legalization has transformed their experience caring for the older population with medical cannabis.
Jess Goodman (JG): The big change that most people are not aware of is that previously, the only cannabis-like material that physicians were able to prescribe was synthetic THC in pill form, known by the name of Nabalone or Cesamet. Because it’s just synthetic THC, it has a high potential for side-effects. It can cause confusion, loss of balance, increased anxiety and so forth. So although some patients experienced benefits, there were a lot of people who couldn’t tolerate it.
With legalization, we now have access to full spectrum products. So if you are using a cannabis oil, it will come from the entire plant, with THC, CBD in varying ratios, as well as a wide variety of other cannabinoids and terpenes. This gives a much fuller effect. If you include some CBD with THC, you really ameliorate the potentially difficult side-effects of THC, and have a product which is more effective and better tolerated.
To read more, click on https://www.forbes.com/sites/abbierosner/2019/10/16/for-canadian-seniors-one-year-of-legal-cannabis-has-been-a-game-changer/amp/