Medical Cannabis Poised To ‘flourish’ Within New Cannabis Era

Medical Cannabis Poised To ‘flourish’ Within New Cannabis Era

In the midst of a new cannabis era, medical cannabis is set to flourish and provide a range of benefits to patients. The use of medicinal cannabis in healthcare settings, such as the HealthPartners Cancer Cannabis clinic, is becoming increasingly popular as patients seek personalized education and support.

One patient, Tracy Teyssier, found relief and improved quality of life through the use of medical cannabis. Teyssier, who has been battling stage four cancer, experienced relief from nausea, reduced anxiety, and improved sleep. She highlighted the importance of having a sense of hope and independence while dealing with cancer, and medical cannabis provided that for her.

The medical cannabis program in Minnesota has seen significant growth since its inception in 2015. From less than a thousand patients in the first year, the program now has about 40,000 patients. This growth can be attributed to the addition of more qualifying conditions and the introduction of smokable cannabis products. Despite cannabis still being classified as a Schedule 1 drug at the federal level, experts believe that the medical cannabis program will continue to grow and provide distinct benefits to patients.

Dr. Dylan Zylla, the medical director of the HealthPartners Cancer Research Center, recognized the potential of cannabis as an alternative to opioids and a tool for alleviating suffering in cancer patients. He has been actively involved in cannabis research and has conducted studies on its benefits, including pain relief, nausea reduction, and anxiety alleviation. Dr. Zylla also established the CanCaRE Clinic, which provides personalized education and treatment-dosing guidelines to cancer patients considering medical cannabis use.

The CanCaRE Clinic has been successful in providing comfort and clarity to patients interested in medical cannabis. Patients have reported multiple benefits and minimal side effects. Dr. Zylla believes there is room for growth in expanding the clinic’s outreach and catering to patients from other organizations.

The legalization of recreational marijuana in Minnesota is expected to remove the stigma associated with cannabis and increase comfort levels among patients. It is hoped that hospitals will recognize the inevitable use of cannabis and provide assistance to patients in using it safely and effectively. Medical cannabis offers a sense of hope to patients going through difficult health journeys, providing them with relief from symptoms and a potential alternative to traditional treatments.

Tracy Teyssier’s story serves as a testament to the power of medical cannabis in improving the lives of patients. With the continuous growth of the medical cannabis program and the increasing acceptance of its benefits, more patients are likely to experience the positive impact of this ancient medication in the new cannabis era.