How the 2020 Election Could Affect People With Disabilities
How to Ensure Your Vote in This Election Helps Protect People With Disabilities
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Medical cannabis is currently legal in 33 states. Mauricio Consalter, MD, an internal medicine specialist who certifies patients for the medical cannabis program in Illinois, explained that it's often used to treat conditions like chronic pain and neuropathy. "Opioids are often prescribed for these medical conditions, but medicinal cannabis can be a better and safer alternative," Dr. Consalter told POPSUGAR. People with disabilities may need to take these medications for longer periods of time, and evidence suggests that, if they do develop a dependency, they may be less likely to receive treatment.
Scientific literature has shown that prescribing medical cannabis can help patients reduce dependence on opioids. Dr. Consalter explained that, in his practice, between 40 and 60 percent of patients are able to decrease or stop opioids entirely. "Patients who used to utilise treatments such as methadone or suboxone are using medicinal cannabis to further decrease dependency," he said, adding that patients are increasingly seeking medicinal cannabis as an alternative to opioids even in hospital settings.
Furthermore, access to legal medical cannabis reduces the risk of people obtaining it illegally and ensures that patients are getting cannabis that has been tested and is safe. Legal access is also crucial in order to continue researching its benefits. "Medicinal cannabis has the potential to be a widely used and safe option for medical treatment," Dr. Consalter said.