Medical Marijuana Certification Why We Do It

Hi!  Dr. Ryschon here!  I would like to share more about what I know about medical marijuana and why as a physician, I see

In recent history, cannabis has been regarded mostly for its ability to produce hallucinations, which has landed it and its users on the wrong side of societal mores and laws.

In the past 3 decades, constituents of the plant, some 100 cannabinoids, have been more clearly identified and along with them has come a scientific recognition of how they interact with the human body.

Though best known, THC may be the least interesting medically when compared to the biological activity of cannabidiol (CBD), which has been linked to both pain and inflammation modulation.  These activities may provide an important adjunct or alternative to pharmaceuticals used in western medicine to control pain and inflammatory disorders.  Medical studies also suggest that cannabis can positively influence clinical disorders of mood, anxiety, focus, and sleep.

We have much to learn about how this plant can be used to impact human disease and health.  For now, we know this:

• The human cells have specific receptors for cannabinoids;
• These receptors didn’t just appear in the human species in the past  30 years;
• Activation of these receptors by cannabinoids results in measurable improvements in a variety of disease conditions;
•  The residents of Arizona believe patients with certain diseases should have the latitude to see how this plant can reduce their suffering without being criminalized for it; and,
• I, as a physician, am committed to reducing suffering through an informed collaboration with patients to make effective therapy available to them; therefore,
• I provide medical insight and supervision for qualifying patients, as they determine the benefit of cannabis for treating their medical condition.

 

"If you reading this, you likely have a medical condition that will benefit from treatment with medicinal marijuana. Schedule an appointment with me to find out the potential advantages and to get evaluated for your MMJ card." - Timothy Ryschon, M.D.