Doctor why does cannabis have such a negative connotation? Why is the country trying to keep it from us? Just curious.
Cannabis for medicinal purposes (worldwide) dates back to the most ancient of times, and would not have been foreign, or even taboo, to our not-so-distant ancestors who lived during the turn of the 20th century. In fact, cannabis-based medicines made up half of the medications U.S. doctors prescribed to their patients for a wide variety of ailments.
For political and financial reasons, and via racially motivated means, cannabis was written out of the U.S. Pharmacopeia (a book that describes drugs, chemicals, and other substances that are allowed to be used as medicine in the U.S.), and any study and research of it strictly forbidden. In a nutshell, greed and racism fueled prohibition, and fear tactics were used to convince the world that cannabis was ‘bad.’
Add to this the devastating effects of the war on drugs in communities of color (imprisoning a large number of people of color for the possession and sale of cannabis), and people, understandably, want to stay away from it. I think legalization has been a challenge, now, because of the same greed, racism and other prejudices that lead to its prohibition. Science was not used as a basis of prohibition, and science is being ignored as the basis of mass legalization. It, unfortunately, appears to be more about money and control than scientific merit.
Doctor, can it help with Alzheimer’s conditions?
The federal government has held a patent on cannabinoids (cannabis) as neuroprotectants (brain protecting medicine) since 1999, specifically stating that it can be helpful for Alzheimer’s.
What are the side effects of cannabis?
The common ‘unwanted’ side effects of cannabis are due to THC, and include dry mouth, red eyes, munchies (hunger), racing heart, and anxiety/panic. These can be avoided by consuming small amounts of THC at a time (also known as micro-dosing).
Hey Doc, I have high blood pressure…how long will I have to smoke cannabis to reverse the high blood pressure?
The blood pressure lowering effects of certain cannabis profiles can be relatively instantaneous, and will last as long as active cannabinoids and metabolites remain in the system (several hours on average). CBD, a dominant chemical compound in cannabis, dilates blood vessels and is thought to contribute to the blood pressure lowering effects of cannabis.
Nothing is more effective for lowering blood pressure, however, than diet. I place all my cannabis-using patients on strict paleo diets, which has a tendency to reverse metabolic diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
What about cannabis and ADHD?
Very small studies have suggested that small amounts of THC, a dominant chemical compound in cannabis, can improve concentration in people managing ADHD.
Is there a form of cannabis that aids in weight loss ?
The jury is still out on this one. There are chemical compounds in cannabis that have been found to be appetite reducing and others that could promote weight loss, but this has yet to be seen in reality.
Dr. Knox, I have MS and live in Tennessee. How or where can I try this?
Unfortunately, the cannabis landscape remains inequitable, leaving people without access to medical cannabis that could make a difference in their lives by virtue of residence in non-legal states. Many people travel or move (becoming medical refugees) to legal states to access their rights to choose.
What about the use of cannabis to treat glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a common qualifying condition for the use of cannabis in many legal medical cannabis states. Studies, unfortunately, are inconclusive regarding just how effective cannabis is in treating glaucoma.
Is cannabis useful for stroke survivors?
The federal government has held a patent on cannabinoids (cannabis) as neuroprotectants (brain protecting medicine) since 1999, specifically stating that it can be helpful for stroke. I repeat this line to emphasize that even the US federal government has acknowledged the medicinal benefit of cannabis in neurologic disease and disorder.
Cannabinoids (chemical compounds found in cannabis) have been shown to improve blood flow to organs after stroke injury and stimulate the growth and reconnection of neurons. We have yet to see gold standard research trials conducted on the subject matter, but I do believe it will only be a matter of time.
So how often should a person with diabetes take cannabis? Daily or weekly?
Frequency of cannabis use, and method of use, is highly variable and person-specific. Frequency and method of use is typically dictated by the symptoms being treated AND the disease itself. That being said, patients medicate with cannabis in the same way they would medicate with prescription drugs – on a routine schedule and/or as needed.
Many patients rely on consistent and high quality cannabis products as their daily medicine in the same way one might rely on daily painkillers, anxiety -lowering drugs, etc. I can say confidently that everyone should be on CBD daily for its supplemental and anti-inflammatory properties alone. This would go a long way for a diabetic, who is dealing with one of the most common inflammatory diseases we know of.
How do we get in touch with the doctor?
I work at the American Cannabinoid Clinics (www.theacclinics.com). Visit the website and drop us a line!
Does smoking cannabis cause lung or throat cancer?
Smoking cannabis does expose the oral cavity, throat and lungs to cancer causing particulate matter. A major study conducted at UCLA, however, showed that lung cancer risk was REDUCED in tobacco smokers who also smoked cannabis, suggesting that cannabis might be protective against lung cancer. To date, there are no studies that have confirmed the role of ‘smoking cannabis’ to the development of cancer.
My best friend’s breast cancer is back but now it is in her lungs and her lymph nodes. How do we get in touch with someone in order to find out about the cannabis oil and using it to get rid of the cancer?
Visit the American Cannabinoid Clinics (www.theacclinics.com), and schedule an integrative consultation. We see patients in person and internet, and any of our doctors would be able to provide comprehensive counseling on cannabis oil and metastatic cancer.
Does it come in form of pills and does it make you high?
Cannabis is processed into all kinds of forms: concentrates, oils, tinctures (droppers), topicals (lotions, rubs), edibles, capsules, suppositories, patches and more. THC, a dominant chemical compound in cannabis, is what makes a person high. The amount that makes one person high, however, will not necessarily make the next person high. Some conditions require patients to avoid THC at all costs, while others require it. The important thing to remember with respect to using THC is to start low and increase the dose slowly until the desired effect (symptom control) is reached without tipping the scale over into the unwanted side effects associated with the ‘THC high.’
You said CBD oil is found to regrow neuron connections. Does that mean there’s a larger possibility to prevent and/or reverse the effects of dementia and similar diseases? Is there research being conducted on this?
The answer is yes, and yes.
Do you think cannabis will be legalized throughout the U.S. due to the opioid epidemic?
In some form or fashion, I do think we will see uniform legalization. My guess is that it will occur at the pharmaceutical level, meaning that pharmaceutical companies will be allowed to make cannabis products and sell them through pharmacies for specific conditions.
My questions are, will they want to compete with dispensaries and can they coexist? Only time will tell. Many states, however, have considered or are considering legalizing cannabis medicinally to address their opioid problems because the trend is clear: in medical cannabis states, hospitalizations and deaths related to opioid use have decreased 25%.
My 13-year-old grandson has autism. Is cannabis good for him?
As autism is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, it is often a qualifying condition for the use of cannabis. I would recommend consultation with a cannabis specialist to assess whether or not cannabis is a good fit for your grandson, as provider involvement (and collaboration with primary care and specialty doctors already involved in a child’s care) is paramount when treating minors with cannabis.
Is cannabis good for glaucoma? I was given an inhaler pin and was thinking of using it.
Glaucoma is a common qualifying condition for the use of cannabis in many legal medical cannabis states. Studies, unfortunately, are inconclusive regarding just how effective cannabis is in treating glaucoma. That being said, many patients report improvement, and typically with inhaled forms (smoking, vaping, etc.).
The doctor mentioned treatment of seizures. Which ones?
Patients of varying seizure types have had success (reduced seizure burden) with cannabis. That being said, the FDA just approved a cannabis extract called Epidiolex for use in the US, and specifically for use in intractable, refractory seizure types – seizures that have failed conventional drug therapies, i.e. Dravet Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut, Tuberous Sclerosis Complex and Infantile Spasms.
My daughter is 15 years old she has been suffering from migraine headaches for about a year and a half. Her doctors says there’s nothing they can give her to reduce the pain. To get a Botox shot (which can help migraines) you have to be 18. Could an eighth of marijuana help her?
I would recommend consultation with a cannabis specialist to assess whether or not cannabis is a good fit for your daughter, as provider involvement (and collaboration with primary care and specialty doctors already involved in a child’s care) is paramount when treating minors with cannabis. A consultant can discuss with you and your daughter what might be useful, how to take it and where to start with respect to dosing.
Can cannabis heal sciatica pain?
Back pain and the nerve pain that stems from it (like sciatica) are the most common reasons that Americans use cannabis.
Can I use cannabis for neuropathy in my right foot, unrelated to diabetes?
Neuropathic pain, regardless of cause, is one of the most common reasons that Americans use cannabis.
What are the benefits of using cannabis for a 55-year-old woman diagnosed with late onset epilepsy?
The potential benefit of using cannabis in epilepsy is a reduction in seizures.
Since lupus is so broad, is cannabis an effective treatment?
In reality, most common-day diseases are broad. We really do too narrowly define disease, as the most common root-cause denominator in modern disease is inflammation. Lupus is no different. Treat the inflammation. Chemical compounds found in cannabis have significant anti-inflammatory properties, and for that reason alone, cannabis could confer benefit to a lupus sufferer.
That being said, symptoms of lupus (i.e. joint and muscle pain, digestive issues, skin problems, etc) can be addressed with cannabis as well. You say lupus is ‘broad’? Cannabis is too! I have to reiterate here that nothing is more important than diet for healing. Autoimmune disorders respond very well to the paleo diet, and I place my cannabis-using autoimmune sufferers on strict paleo diets as treatment.
My daughter has scoliosis, and takes Zoloft for depression. On top of that she’s hypoglycemic, and I’m thinking of cannabis for her. What do I do?
I would recommend consultation with a cannabis specialist to assess whether or not cannabis is a good fit for your daughter. A consultant can discuss with you and your daughter what might be useful, how to take it and where to start with respect to dosing.
Dr. Rachel Knox, MD, MBA is one of four co-founders of The American Cannabinoid Clinics (The AC Clinics), a title she proudly shares with her mom, dad and sister – Drs. Janice, David and Jessica Knox. She serves as Medical Chair for the Minority Cannabis Business Association and is the Vice Chair for the Oregon Cannabis Commission.
Dr. Rachel (as she is commonly called in a shared setting with 3 other Drs. Knox) received her medical and business degrees from Tufts University after completing her undergraduate studies at Duke. She trained in Family and Integrative medicine before pursuing additional study in the areas of Functional, Cannabinoid and Cannabis Medicine, and is a current member of the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine.
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