Scott

New Research Examines Medical Marijuana’s Effects on Depression, Anxiety

The patients we serve suffer from a wide range of conditions and symptoms, but relief from depression, anxiety, and stress easily ranks among the most common treatment goals our patients share with us. These challenges can be debilitating on their own, but they also represent commonly occurring symptomatic responses to other acute conditions. Cancer patients, for example, may cite pain, fatigue, and nausea as primary physical symptoms, but also frequently describe mood-related symptoms as a similarly challenging problem for them.

Although patients have long reported success in treating depression, anxiety, and stress with medical cannabis, research on the subject is limited. For this reason, researchers at Washington State University have performed an innovative studywhich collected data from thousands of patients in an attempt to better understand if and how cannabis may be able to provide relief. Data was obtained in real time from medical marijuana patients, documenting strain selection and dosage, as well as symptom levels before and after medicating. The results show an encouraging response among the majority of respondents:

Depression:Symptom ratings were reduced in 89.3% of the sessions, increased in 3.2%, no change in 7.5%.

Anxiety:Symptom ratings were reduced in 93.5% of the sessions, increased in 2.1%, no change in 4.4%.

Stress:Symptom ratings were reduced in 93.3% of the sessions, increased in 2.7%, no change in 4%.

Both women and men reported an overall reduction in symptoms, but women reported a greater reduction in anxiety symptoms. [Forbes]

As Forbes goes on to note, the study does face limitations in terms of the self-reported nature of the data, but it does serve as a helpful jumping off point in the discussion of how and why cannabis may prove beneficial for some patients facing mood-related disorders or symptoms. For example, the results point towards a potential relationship between the type of cannabis used and the extent of symptom relief:

An analysis of the strains the app users reported smoking showed a few different outcomes depending on the percentages of THC and CBD. For depression, strains higher in CBD and lower in THC produced the largest reduction in symptoms. For anxiety, CBD and THC percentages seemed to make little difference in the results. For stress, users reported significant symptom reduction when using strains high in both CBD and THC.

Research comparing patient experiences according to cannabinoid ratios is uncommon and difficult to perform under rigorous scientific standards, but it is exactly this type of analysis which may eventually enable us to answer key questions in the science of cannabis medicine. Many patients describe strong preferences for certain strains and products based on their own treatment outcomes. An empirically-driven approach to product selection is an ideal shared by patients, physicians, and providers alike, and we welcome inquiries that seek to develop a formalized model for predicting product efficacy.

Like many other conditions our patients face, depression and anxiety present complicated symptoms that often endure despite conventional therapeutic interventions. Prescription medications can provide relief, but may not prove effective in all cases. They can also present side effects that limit their utility for some patients. The potential of cannabis medicines to provide an alternative or complementary therapy for these difficult-to-treat conditions represents yet another important area of inquiry as researchers work to inform the medical cannabis conversation.

Cancer Doctors are Recommending Marijuana, But Want to Learn More

For any patient facing a serious diagnosis and considering medical marijuana treatment, the prospect of raising the subject with one’s doctor can be intimidating. In a traditional medical setting, opinions on alternative therapies can vary and patients may understandably feel apprehensive about how to start the conversation and what reaction to expect. Interestingly, a new study from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute sheds much-needed light on how such interactions are experienced from the doctor’s perspective:

While a wide majority of oncologists do not feel informed enough about medical marijuana’s utility to make clinical recommendations, most do in fact conduct discussions on medical marijuana in the clinic and nearly half recommend it to their patients, say researchers who surveyed a population-based sample of medical oncologists.

The study, published today in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, is the first nationally-representative survey of medical oncologists to examine attitudes, knowledge and practices regarding the agent since medical marijuana became legal on the state level in the U.S. [Science Daily]

It’s a subject that interests us greatly, and the survey results provide a revealing window into both the caution and optimism with which physicians often approach medical marijuana use in the context of cancer treatment. Among the study’s most notable findings is that 70% of oncologists did not feel adequately prepared to educate their patients about medical marijuana treatment. This reflects the need for more extensive research into medical marijuana’s role in cancer treatment, but it also illustrates the lack of formal education most physicians receive with regards to existing knowledge on the subject. Although we look forward to further advancements in the science of cannabis, promising research does exist and may need to be made more available to practitioners. Similarly, physicians may find it helpful to possess a working knowledge of how and why this treatment is used in order to address practical questions many patients may have.

Encouragingly, however, the research also demonstrates support for medical marijuana treatment among many oncologists. With nearly half of respondents reporting that they’d recommended medical marijuana use to patients, it’s clear that they see promise in this treatment option and frequently view the benefits as outweighing the risks. Traditional interventions such as chemotherapy can carry harsh side-effects, and it’s understandable that practitioners would see potential in cannabis as a complementary treatment.

In our own experience working with cancer patients, its benefits for many appeared tangible and, at times, deeply moving. Our patients have shared their experiences regaining weight and strength, relieving pain enough to permit activities and visits with family, overcoming depression and improving their outlook, and many other ways in which cannabis treatment played an important role in empowering them to fight the disease. Their stories inspire us to do the work we do and we have no doubt that others involved in their care are seeing these benefits as well.

In the years to come, we hope that medical science will continue to answer critical questions and usher in the next generation of cannabis medicine. Today, the challenge we face is that of making sure those who suffer have access to the safest and most beneficial treatment options we can provide. We’re grateful to the hard-working professionals in the oncology field for their dedication and their willingness to recommend medical marijuana to patients in need. We’ll continue working closely with practitioners to provide the best information possible, the best care possible, and ultimately the best lives possible for those we serve.

Medical Marijuana or Opioids? NFL Rules Spark Debate on Players’ Health & Safety

The public health consequences of opioid abuse have captured considerable attention among policy makers and the press in recent years, yet there remains no clear consensus on how best to address the issue. As the search for solutions continues, professional sports are providing a new forum for the growing debate over whether medical marijuana can play a role in providing safer pain management:

(CNN) NFL running back Mike James calls it his medicine for pain management, but league officials call it a banned substance. Now, James’ athletic career is hanging in limbo because he chose pot over pills.

In 2013, James was prescribed opioid painkillers after injuring his left ankle in a Monday night football game. Within weeks, he developed a dangerous dependency on the drugs.

To get off of the opioids, he turned to medical marijuana for his pain.

James’s story is, in so many ways, familiar to us. What began with a painful injury and a doctor’s prescription soon evolved into a cycle of dependence. As the injury healed, a different and more complicated health challenge slowly took hold. This trade-off is one our patients have described to us on countless occasions. Similarly, the sense of hope that returned to James’s life when he discovered that medical marijuana could treat his pain without devastating side effects is one our patients have shared with us as well.

Still, for James and many others, the challenge of accessing medical marijuana and educating others about its benefits remains. He became the first NFL player to seek the right to medical marijuana treatment through a therapeutic use exemption and was denied by the NFL. His career prospects are now placed on hold, and others dealing with injuries in professional football are receiving a message that opioid drugs are permitted, but a promising alternative is not.

Fortunately, James has vowed to continue advocating on behalf of himself and others who rely on medical marijuana to relieve their pain and improve their quality of life. His predicament mirrors that of many Americans whose challenges are less public, but just as poignant in the discussion of medical marijuana’s potential to reduce the harms of opioid prescriptions. The stigma that many patients feel when discussing medical marijuana with employers and health care providers is very real, but the importance of this treatment option is also recognized by more Americans than ever before. As new voices and new data continue to inform the conversation, we’re hopeful that a day is coming when no patient who needs medical marijuana will be told they can’t consider it.

Patriot Care Gives Back in Greenfield

Greenfield medical marijuana dispensary As Patriot Care prepares to open the doors at our Greenfield dispensary this week, we’re honored by the opportunity to serve patients in Franklin County and provide access to medical cannabis for those who need it most. As part of Patriot Care’s commitment to strengthening our community beyond the dispensary doors, we’re already working to promote worthy causes in Western Massachusetts. The following organizations work tirelessly to empower youth in Greenfield and beyond and we’re proud to support their important work.

Greenfield Education Fund

Patriot Care contributed $10,000 to the Greenfield Education Foundation. The Foundation was formed in 2010 with the sole objective to raise funds exclusively for the public schools in Greenfield. The funds will help to support innovative new programs particularly in the areas of music, arts, sports and unique course offerings intended to attract students. Every dollar raised is a dollar that directly supports local students in local schools.

Greenfield Minor League Baseball

Patriot Care donated $10,000 to Greenfield Minor League Baseball to help transform GMLB’s facility into one of the finest youth baseball centers in Western Massachusetts and will allow GMLB to continue to provide top quality baseball instruction to area boys and girls aged 6 to 12. The new facility will also provide significant economic benefits to Greenfield as it will draw more people from the area during the season and the state during summer tournaments.

These philanthropic efforts, along with others throughout the state, represent Patriot Care’s continuing commitment to our community and the people who make our work possible. We’re grateful to our patients, partners, and friends for their shared belief in making Massachusetts a better place.

Official Rules for Patriot Care 2018 420 Reasons Sweepstakes

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. RECEIVE ADDITIONAL ENTRIES EACH TIME YOU MAKE A PURCHASE OF SPECIFIED PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS.

OPEN TO MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS WHO HAVE VALID REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARDS AND ARE 18 YEARS OR OLDER AT THE TIME OF ENTRY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. SUBJECT TO ALL APPLICABLE LAWS.

EMPLOYEES OF PATRIOT CARE, AFFILATED COMPANY EMPLOYEES, ITS ADVERTISING OR PROMOTIONAL AGENCIES AND MEMBERS OF THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES OR HOUSEHOLDS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO ENTER.

By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the interpretations and decisions, which are binding and final on matters relating to the Official Rules and this Sweepstakes. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

HOW TO ENTER:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO RECEIVE ONE FREE ENTRY. Customers may receive additional entries through the following promotional efforts:

Entry period begins at start of business on April 4, 2018 and closes at close of business on April 30, 2018.

• One free entry per patient, no purchase necessary (limit 1)
• One additional entry for each purchase
• Bonus entries may be awarded through other promotions during the period

Entries received before or after the Entry Period will not be eligible. Incomplete entries will not be eligible.

Entries generated by script, macro, or other automated means are void.
All entries become the property of Patriot Care and will not be acknowledged or returned.

DRAWING: Ten winners at each dispensary will be selected at from all eligible entries received at that dispensary during the Event Days. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Winners must be in good standing with MA Medical Marijuana Program and adhere to State of Massachusetts Regulations and Possession Limits.

NOTICE TO WINNERS: Patriot Care will notify the potential winner by telephone or email if the potential winner is not present at the time of the drawing. If a potential winner declines, or does not fulfill the requirements for the award of the prize, an alternate potential winner will be selected by random drawing.

PRIZE: Ten prize winners at each dispensary will each receive $42.00 of in-store credit to use on a purchase of $50 or more in 2018.

RETAIL VALUE OF PRIZE IS ESTIMATED AT $420.00 PER DISPENSARY. The winner may not substitute, assign, or transfer prize or redeem prize for cash. Credits are valid for in-stock merchandise. No cash value and no cash will be issued if full credit is not used. The winner is responsible for all taxes in connection with his/her prize. Patriot Care reserves the right to substitute the prize with a prize of equal or greater value if the advertised prize becomes unavailable.

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OFFICIAL RULES FOR PATRIOT CARE 2018 420 REASONS SWEEPSTAKES.

USE OF INFORMATION: Patriot Care will use data about entrants obtained in connection with the entry into the Sweepstakes for the administration of the Sweepstakes and otherwise in accordance with Patriot Care’s privacy policy. By submitting an entry, entrant agrees to such use of personal data.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: Releasees (as defined below) are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, stolen, misdirected, undelivered, garbled, or illegible entries; failures or difficulties, or other errors of any kind, whether human, mechanical, electronic, or network; or the incorrect or inaccurate capture of entry or other information, or the failure to capture any such information. Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Sweepstakes, as solely determined by Patriot Care, will be disqualified. Should any portion of the Sweepstakes be, in Patriot Care’s sole opinion, compromised by unauthorized human intervention or other causes, which, in the sole opinion of Patriot Care, corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play, or submission of entries, Patriot Care reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify, or terminate the Sweepstakes and select the winner from all eligible, non suspect entries received prior to action taken or as otherwise deemed fair and appropriate by Patriot Care.

Entrants, by participating, agree that Patriot Care and its parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotional agencies, and all their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, and agents (collectively, the “Releasees”) will have no liability whatsoever for, and shall be held harmless by entrants against, any injuries, losses, or damages of any kind, including death, to persons or property resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse, or use of the prize or participation in this Sweepstakes.

Each winner, by acceptance of the prize, except where legally prohibited, grants permission for Patriot Care and its designees to use his/her name, address (city and state), photograph, voice, and/or other likeness and prize information for advertising, trade, and promotional purposes without further compensation, in all media now known or hereafter discovered, worldwide and on the Internet and World Wide Web, in perpetuity, without notice or review or approval.

Patriot Care may require the potential winner to sign separate written agreements confirming the agreements, releases, and permissions described above. In addition, the winner agrees to sign releases, assumption of risk, and other agreements and documents required by Patriot Care.

WINNER’S NAME: For privacy reasons, we will not publicly release the name of the Sweepstakes winner. For questions, please contact Patriot Care.

Scott

Greenfield Education Fund

Greenfield Minor League Baseball

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