{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/elderly/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_1961-markdown","title":"Microdosing Cannabis Stopped My Chronic Pain","slug":"microdosing-cannabis-stopped-my-chronic-pain","content":"My own experience with [microdosing](https://www.hellomd.com/tag/microdosing) completely changed how I consume medical cannabis. After suffering for years from chronic pain due to intense migraines and fibromyalgia, [cannabis allowed me to stop using narcotics](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/how-we-can-disrupt-the-opioid-epidemic-with-cannabis). Those traditional pharmaceuticals didn’t provide much benefit other than occasionally masking the pain. Once I turned to cannabis, I found a solution that not only prevented my chronic pain but also helped me manage pain when it crawled through. Once I realized cannabis was a possible solution for me, I began experimenting and eventually found that microdosing was my path to success.\n\n![Hello6-min (6).png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Hello6_min_6_6f0daaad5e.png)\n\n### Microdosing Cannabis as Effective Pain Relief\n\nWhen many people talk about microdosing, they mean taking small amounts of cannabis, waiting to feel the effects, and then taking more until you reach your desired result. The microdosing I want to talk about is taking small amounts of cannabis on a consistent basis to receive health benefits without the psychoactive effect.\n\nRespected cannabis doctor [Dr. Dustin Sulak noted substantial anecdotal evidence](https://www.projectcbd.org/sobre-cbd/clinical-research/dr-dustin-sulak-cannabis-dosing) within his practice over a period of years with microdosing. He said in a recent article, “*I discovered that most people have a certain threshold dosage of cannabis, below which they’ll actually experience a gradual increase in health benefits over time, and above which they’ll start building tolerance, experiencing diminishing benefits, and more side effects.*”\n\nAs with so much within the cannabis community, we depend upon anecdotal evidence as clinical research is scarce due to marijuana’s classification as a [Schedule 1 drug](https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling#:~:text=Schedule%20I%20drugs%2C%20substances%2C%20or,). However, a recent [study conducted by University of California, San Diego, demonstrated positive results with microdosing](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3566631/). The study focused on subjects suffering from neuropathic pain and had them microdose through vaping. The results indicated that the patients who microdosed cannabis at 1.29% felt as much pain relief as the patients who used a medium dose at 3.53% cannabis. Those who microdosed less also felt better for a longer period of time than participants who ingested more.\n\n![Hello1.png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Hello1_63481b85e9.png)\n\n### Lower Doses of THC May Enhance the Endocannabinoid System\n\nWhat’s most interesting about this study is its contrast with the average amount of [tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)](https://www.hellomd.com/tag/thc) found in most vape pens or joints, which often stand at 14% and may even go as high as 95%. The amount of THC used within microdosing is substantially lower than what most consumers ingest in a typical sitting. Some hypothesize that microdosing on a consistent basis results in more positive benefits than higher doses because lower doses of cannabis enhance the [endocannabinoid system](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/what-is-the-endocannabinoid-system) while much larger doses make our CB1 and CB2 receptors—the receptors that control appetite, pain, mood, and memoryless responsive. \n\n![Hello3.png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Hello3_de8707650f.png)\n\n### My Personal CBD Microdosing Regimen\n\nMy version of microdosing includes a daily dose of tinctures high in [cannabidiol (CBD)](https://www.hellomd.com/tag/cbd); I like a ratio of 20:1 CBD to THC. I also use a low-dose tincture with 2.5 mg of THC per dose as many as two to three times a day. \n\nSince these THC doses are incredibly low, I never feel high, if anything, I just feel mildly relaxed. When a migraine does manage to sneak through, which is now rare, I vape a high-CBD pen of any one of the strains [Canna Tsu](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/canna-tsu), [ACDC](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/acdc), or [Harlequin](https://www.hellomd.com/tag/harlequin/). These strains contain around 20% CBD to 5% THC. Again, my goal is to manage pain and not get high, and without a doubt, I reach my goal. \n\nMicrodosing allows me to live a very full life, prevent chronic conditions, and manage pain when it happens. Without cannabis and this regime, I would be in bed for multiple days a month. Now I’m not dependent on narcotics, and I’m able to be far more functional across the board.\n\n![Hello5-min (6).png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Hello5_min_6_18167593eb.png)\n\n### Microdosing Is Perfect for Newcomers & Seniors\n\nI feel that microdosing is the way to go for all newcomers to cannabis, as well as the fastest-growing group of medicinal marijuana users: senior citizens. These new consumers are faced with a confusing and disaggregated system. When walking into a typical dispensary, you’ll often come face to face with a 20-something budtender who might suggest an Indica gummy bear that contains 100 mg of THC, a chocolate bar with 1,000 mg, or a vape oil cartridge with a whopping 95% THC. Oftentimes, this is a recipe for disaster for the new patient.\n\n![Hello6-min (5).png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Hello6_min_5_5d7926c2dd.png)\n\n### The Marijuana Market Needs to Catch Up\n\nUnfortunately, the cannabis marketplace is more focused on recreational consumers and hasn’t caught up with those of us using cannabis as medicine. What we need is a plethora of products that are between 2.5-5 mg per dose, whether that be a tincture, edibles, sublingual spray, or high CBD/low THC vape oil cartridges. \n\nThe bottom line is that the market has yet to catch up with consumer trends. My hope is that innovative manufacturers continue to release new products that address the new groups using medicinal marijuana, as well as the anecdotal and research-based evidence that supports microdosing cannabis.\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/tag/cannabis-101) posts.\n\n### Get Your Medical Document & Purchase Medical Cannabis\n\nIt's easy to get your medical document with the online [Telehealth service HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/get-started/). Register, pay, and receive an online medical consultation with a licensed partitioner and purchase medical cannabis today.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1,"src":"/static/f4a91d37d069a9a4ea3d1e07d88ff67b/ee604/ff1b81dd1384fe1c49e9060625fc0324.png","srcSet":"/static/f4a91d37d069a9a4ea3d1e07d88ff67b/69585/ff1b81dd1384fe1c49e9060625fc0324.png 200w,\n/static/f4a91d37d069a9a4ea3d1e07d88ff67b/497c6/ff1b81dd1384fe1c49e9060625fc0324.png 400w,\n/static/f4a91d37d069a9a4ea3d1e07d88ff67b/ee604/ff1b81dd1384fe1c49e9060625fc0324.png 800w,\n/static/f4a91d37d069a9a4ea3d1e07d88ff67b/a7cbc/ff1b81dd1384fe1c49e9060625fc0324.png 830w","srcWebp":"/static/f4a91d37d069a9a4ea3d1e07d88ff67b/58556/ff1b81dd1384fe1c49e9060625fc0324.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/f4a91d37d069a9a4ea3d1e07d88ff67b/61e93/ff1b81dd1384fe1c49e9060625fc0324.webp 200w,\n/static/f4a91d37d069a9a4ea3d1e07d88ff67b/1f5c5/ff1b81dd1384fe1c49e9060625fc0324.webp 400w,\n/static/f4a91d37d069a9a4ea3d1e07d88ff67b/58556/ff1b81dd1384fe1c49e9060625fc0324.webp 800w,\n/static/f4a91d37d069a9a4ea3d1e07d88ff67b/d59c9/ff1b81dd1384fe1c49e9060625fc0324.webp 830w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2599-markdown","title":"3 Popular Questions About Marijuana & Seniors Answered","slug":"3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-seniors-answered","content":"People may associate marijuana with a younger crowd, but more and more seniors are turning to the cannabis plant to help ease pain associated with conditions such as glaucoma, dementia and arthritis. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, [between 2006 and 2013, the number of Americans 65 and older who consume marijuana went up 250%](https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-are-more-seniors-using-marijuana#modal-close). \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nIt’s understandable that people are turning away from intense pharmaceuticals with harmful side effects, but can cannabis really help with conditions we face later in life? Here are three popular Q&As from our Answers page detailing how cannabis may be able to help with conditions like glaucoma, arthritis and dementia. If you have a question about a senior condition, post it on our website and someone from our knowledgeable community will be able to point you in the right direction. \n\n### Q. Is marijuana the best treatment for glaucoma or are the traditional meds far superior at this point?\n**_ My friend still smokes several times a day for his glaucoma, but from my understanding the pharma drugs are actually better for this than marijuana at this point. He is anti-pill and likes his weed. We argued about this last week and I want a doctor's opinion so we know who is right._** \n\nAnswer: @dredmunds Traditional medications are well-established for the treatment of glaucoma. It is important that you determine a target intraocular pressure with your ophthalmologist and then be followed closely. First line therapy is typically pharmacologic or laser therapy (not surgery). If pharmacologic therapy is chosen one current recommendation is topical prostaglandin. If mono therapy is not sufficient, another topical (beta blocker) may be added.\n\nFrom what we know, I would consider marijuana to be a complimentary or supplemental therapy to your medication; and this decision should be arrived upon with the guidance of your ophthalmologist. Cannabis does decrease intraocular pressure, and it also has neuroprotective properties, so it may be helpful in the treatment and prevention of progression in glaucoma.\n\n### Q. CBD for motor problems in dementia?\n**_I have read this: (I copied and pasted the quote below)\n“To treat movement problems (Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s, dementia): 3 to 5 mg of cannabidiol (CBD) oil per pounds of body weight daily. If you weigh 150 lbs, that would be 450 to 750 mg daily.”_**\n\n**_Do you know anything about this? My mother has dementia and is losing the ability to walk. I give her about 200 mg of CBD and it works fantastic for her agitation and anxiety, but she walks even less now. Should increase the dose? any suggestion?_**\n\nAnswer: @drelkind You do not say where that quote comes from and I want to be clear that there is no medical literature defining CBD doses for ANYTHING. CBD is remarkably benign in the human body and there are essentially no reports of toxicity, but at the same time there is no body of clinical studies defining a dosage range for any condition. Most reports of using CBD for various conditions are basically anecdotal, and the kind of dose-response information you are seeking is still folk medicine, not based on medical science. It is also not clear to me what other factors might be affecting you mother's ambulation, so the best I can suggest is that increasing the CBD dose is unlikely to cause any adverse effects and if the lack of walking is from CBD related sedation her response will likely be to walk less. If it helps, then I would not be concerned about a modest increase in dose unless other symptoms appear.\n\n`embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e90Sdyg2XDk`\n\n### Q. Arthritis\n**_What is the best strain to treat arthritis and stay somewhat lucid? I have bad osteoarthritis (OA) and an intense, fast-paced job. Thanks in advance!_**\n\nAnswer: @chearpear I would recommend a high-CBD strain like Harle-Tzu. It has great anti-inflammatory characteristics. A topical with this type of strain plus ingredients like peppermint, lavender, arnica, and emu oil all help to decrease inflammation and pain. You don't need a product high in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). You need a product that focuses on the inflammation. Also, a change in diet is vital. Look into an anti-inflammatory diet which eliminates red meat, sugar, wheat and dairy. Eat simple, organic foods that heal and support, and don’t cause inflammation.\n\nRead more answers to this question\n\nPhoto credit: [Elena Saharova](https://unsplash.com/@eessoo)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/14b42/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.jpg","srcSet":"/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/f836f/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.jpg 200w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/2244e/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.jpg 400w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/14b42/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.jpg 800w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/47498/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.jpg 1200w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/0e329/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.jpg 1600w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/017f4/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.jpg 3630w","srcWebp":"/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/58556/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/61e93/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.webp 200w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/1f5c5/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.webp 400w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/58556/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.webp 800w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/99238/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.webp 1200w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/7c22d/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.webp 1600w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/ef33f/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.webp 3630w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2374-markdown","title":"Low Doses of THC May Improve Mental Capacity in the Elderly","slug":"low-doses-of-thc-may-improve-mental-capacity-in-the-elderly","content":"### Low Doses of THC Prove Effective \n\n[Nature Medicine Journal](https://www.uni-bonn.de/news/128-2017) recently published new research conducted by the University of Bonn in Germany, in association with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The mouse-modeled study was led by Andreas Zimmer and found that low doses of THC, which did not induce psychoactivity, could reverse declines in cognitive function in elderly mice. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nGroups of young and elderly mice were given behavioral memory and learning assessments before they were dosed with any THC as a control. When the young mice were dosed with THC, they performed worse on the assessments than they did before receiving a dose of THC. The elderly mice, who had done worse than the young mice on the exam originally, did as well as the young mice (without any dose), once they received a low dose of THC. \n\nThe researchers believe that the elderly mice performed better on the assessments with the addition of THC because of an increase in activity that was noted in the hippocampus of the mice, which is connected to learning and memory. In the hippocampus, the researchers saw more points of contact between neurons. \n\n### The Aging Endocannabinoid System\n\nMice, like all other mammals, have endocannabinoid systems. Endocannabinoid systems change greatly as animals age, and so does the way they react to the presence of cannabinoids from cannabis. As endocannabinoid activity declines, aging increases rapidly, which was seen in a previous study by Zimmer. \n\nRELATED: [WHY YOUR PARENTS NEED TO LEARN ABOUT CANNABIS](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56848bf0e4a020000b000140/why-your-parents-need-to-learn-about-cannabis)\n\nEndocannabinoids, the cannabinoids that mammals produce internally, become less prevalent as mice age, and the less functional cannabinoid receptors that mice had, the faster they aged. \nCannabinoids from cannabis could possibly supplement the decreased supply of internally produced endocannabinoids, helping reverse the side effects of aging. The differences between the reactions of the young and elderly mice had could possibly be explained by the aging of the endocannabinoid system. \n\n### Parallel with Humans\n\nThough the research is very preliminary, many people have become interested by the study because of the potential parallel with humans. Susan Weiss, the director of the [Division of Extramural Research at the National Institute on Drug Abuse](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/marijuana-may-boost-rather-than-dull-the-elderly-brain/?WT.mc_id=SA_TW_MB_NEWS&sf77733268=1), said about the study, “This well-designed set of experiments shows that chronic THC pretreatment appears to restore a significant level of diminished cognitive performance in older mice, while corroborating the opposite effect among young mice…While it would be tempting to presume the relevance of these findings [extends] to aging humans…further research will be critically needed.” \n\nZimmer has received more funding from the German government in order to conduct a clinical trial with elderly patients with mild cognitive impairments. The upcoming clinical trial could provide concrete evidence to supplement the positive possibilities that have come from this study, in association with anecdotal evidence that cannabis can help people with disorders like Alzheimer’s. Hopefully we will soon gain more concrete evidence through this upcoming clinical trial about another way that cannabis could greatly help improve peoples’ quality of life. \n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  \n\n[Photo Credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/oliverperra/1603399537/in/photolist-3rFQPB-5qzo41-7VdUnq-6cE7P-7YCKbn-5uSiw-ebNcqE-PwQP-jCHqyc-3etyqZ-7nU8oQ-pgQKmL-4BCbxo-4BCfAs-zWEFJ-2Ch1xw-obc3DL-7nQexF-4BCcm7-69qEM5-fQph6L-p849gb-4BxWwc-4BxVHB-7GGJP-7TJNrS-2CkQ4s-hYa1P-7GGHZ-4BCeMh-7xS6ux-hYa1Q-7GGKi-7GGKu-7GGK4-7GGHW-7GGJk-nhJmp-77ife9-b3KqER-Jrndm-9tt6Rg-fZy4rW-4Jab5c-7GGKC-3J2ypS-dJhHgg-BB9ku-9hWjRu-JEvv)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/06cd40fb6caffbea87e9d2739f7ca9ab/14b42/29afeb8cd4c588184e64df1bf5068728.jpg","srcSet":"/static/06cd40fb6caffbea87e9d2739f7ca9ab/f836f/29afeb8cd4c588184e64df1bf5068728.jpg 200w,\n/static/06cd40fb6caffbea87e9d2739f7ca9ab/2244e/29afeb8cd4c588184e64df1bf5068728.jpg 400w,\n/static/06cd40fb6caffbea87e9d2739f7ca9ab/14b42/29afeb8cd4c588184e64df1bf5068728.jpg 800w,\n/static/06cd40fb6caffbea87e9d2739f7ca9ab/47498/29afeb8cd4c588184e64df1bf5068728.jpg 1200w,\n/static/06cd40fb6caffbea87e9d2739f7ca9ab/54ac5/29afeb8cd4c588184e64df1bf5068728.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/06cd40fb6caffbea87e9d2739f7ca9ab/58556/29afeb8cd4c588184e64df1bf5068728.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/06cd40fb6caffbea87e9d2739f7ca9ab/61e93/29afeb8cd4c588184e64df1bf5068728.webp 200w,\n/static/06cd40fb6caffbea87e9d2739f7ca9ab/1f5c5/29afeb8cd4c588184e64df1bf5068728.webp 400w,\n/static/06cd40fb6caffbea87e9d2739f7ca9ab/58556/29afeb8cd4c588184e64df1bf5068728.webp 800w,\n/static/06cd40fb6caffbea87e9d2739f7ca9ab/99238/29afeb8cd4c588184e64df1bf5068728.webp 1200w,\n/static/06cd40fb6caffbea87e9d2739f7ca9ab/5e0b8/29afeb8cd4c588184e64df1bf5068728.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2009-markdown","title":"What's Holding back Telehealth for Cannabis Evaluations?","slug":"whats-holding-back-telehealth-for-cannabis-evaluations","content":"\n\n\nWhen it comes to the availability of physician recommendations for\nmedical cannabis to patients, consumers across the country have an\nenormous problem: access. Although there have been many thoughts about\nwhy this access problem exists, I attribute it to the ignorance of\nlegislators regarding the benefits of medicinal cannabis and the\nreluctance of my fellow physicians to educate themselves about the\nconditions for which medical marijuana is a very effective treatment.\n\nA perfect example of the former is the recently passed [requirements in\nNew York\nState](https://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/medical_marijuana/). The\nlaw there lists several medical conditions that patients must have to be\nentitled to see a medical marijuana physician. Unfortunately, one of the\nmost commonly reported conditions, chronic\npain (a condition that cannabis has been [scientifically\nproven](http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000216)\nto treat effectively), is not included in the list! This exclusion bars\npain suffers from accessing an effective and much-needed treatment.\n\nThe laws in New York aren't just limiting for patients, though; if a\nphysician in New York wants to participate as a medical marijuana\nphysician, he or she is now required to take a four-hour continuing\nmedical education course at a cost of \\$250, a law that makes New York's\neducation requirements the most stringent in the United States.\n\n### Low Levels of Physician Interest\n\n[Marijuanadoctors.com](http://Marijuanadoctors.com), an information site\nand national clearinghouse that connects patients with physicians\nwilling to certify them, surveyed 500 New York doctors in the early\n2015. The purpose of this survey was to gauge the number of doctors who\nwould potentially participate in the state's medical marijuana program.\n\nAfter the company informed physicians about New York's stringent and\nexpensive training requirements, however, only one physician of the 500\noriginally surveyed was actually interested in participating in cannabis\nrecommendations! Is it fear of being investigated by the FDA? Ignorance\nas to the benefits of cannabis in treating the acceptable medical\nconditions? Time consuming training? I'm sure it's a combination of all\nthree but it makes cannabis access much more difficult, if not\nimpossible, for patients.\n\nWhy Telehealth Access\n---------------------\n\nFor access to medical cannabis evaluations, Telehealth is the best\noption by far. During a Telehealth appointment, a patient can meet with\na doctor via a remote platform from wherever he or she chooses. This\nsaves them the trouble of driving to a doctor's office (sometimes in a\nquestionable part of town and at a great distance), parking, waiting and\nmissing out on other obligations. Telehealth fills an important gap in\nthe current medical marijuana access structure: by bringing medical\nexaminations to patients rather than making them trek to a provider's\noffice, more patients can obtain the access to the care they need. At\nthe conclusion of the virtual meeting, if the doctor feels the patient\nwould benefit from cannabis, they can download a recommendation letter\nimmediately for use at a dispensary. This allows the patients to have\ninstant access for products to help their medical condition. It's\nobvious that Telehealth plays an important role in doing away with many\nof the barriers medical marijuana consumers previously faced. In many\nstates, however, Telehealth care is impossible to access for cannabis\nrecommendations. Why? Because in all states other than California and\nNevada, its illegal!\n\nThe Current State of Telehealth\n-------------------------------\n\nIn enlightened states like\n[California](http://www.mbc.ca.gov/Licensees/Prescribing/Medical_Marijuana.aspx)\nand [Nevada](http://dpbh.nv.gov/Reg/Medical_Marijuana/), where\nTelehealth cannabis evaluations are legal, patients can be \"seen\"\nremotely at their own convenience. Why don't more states allow this? The\nanswer, I believe, is the reluctance of physicians to suggest this to\nthe governing bodies as well as the Medical Boards allowing it. Is it\nfear of liability? Fear of the FDA? Financial gain? Telehealth is\nacceptable in 29 states right now. Why not for cannabis?\n\nUnfortunately, in-person examinations are required in the other 21\nstates that allow medicinal cannabis, make accessing medical marijuana\nvirtually impossible for many qualified patients. For example, if a\npatient is housebound, elderly, lacking transportation or unwilling to\nvisit an area of the city where medical marijuana clinics are often\nlocated, that patient is essentially denied care. This is especially\nunfortunate because seniors are currently the fastest-growing\ndemographic\nof medical marijuana users, and they are also especially likely to have\ndifficulty attending in-person consultations. Telehealth care has the\npotential to expand the reach of medical marijuana and help underserved\npopulations gain access to effective cannabis treatments.\n\nThere are many companies that presently use remote platforms to perform\nTelehealth patient evaluations and prescribe medication, some more much\nmore dangerous than cannabis, when appropriate. They have been around\nfor several years, insurance companies use them as a way to increase\naccess and they are growing by leaps and bounds. Patients are flocking\nto these sites for the convenience and privacy that they provide. Why\nshould cannabis recommendations be any different for a medication that\nhas been used medicinally for thousands of years and has a patient\nsafety record that is unbeatable?\n\nAccess for All\n--------------\n\nIn states like California and Nevada, where it's legal, Telehealth is\nalready a convenient and effective form of reaching out to connect\nphysicians and patients who need medicinal cannabis. In the states that\nhaven't caught on to the changing tides, however, it's imperative that\nconsumers speak out on behalf of Telehealth access. Promote Telehealth\nto your legislators and explain to them that they are restricting your\naccess to care.\n\nIt is not enough to only increase the number of physicians who perform\nevaluations. We must push for being able to do this remotely. Doing this\nwill help ensure that Telehealth care is available to every patient who\nneeds it and to provide medicinal cannabis access for all.\n\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/14b42/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/f836f/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.jpg 200w,\n/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/2244e/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.jpg 400w,\n/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/14b42/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.jpg 800w,\n/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/47498/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/58556/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/61e93/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.webp 200w,\n/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/1f5c5/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.webp 400w,\n/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/58556/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.webp 800w,\n/static/c1dc6a777afb6022172c65c56f03371c/99238/051fa528f01d232757d893219799aab2.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5229,"name":"Elderly","slug":"elderly","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}