Qualifying Conditions

To be certified in the State of Arizona, you must have one of the following conditions:

1. Cancer
2. Glaucoma
3. Human immunodeficiency virus
4. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
5. Hepatitis C
6. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
7. Crohn’s disease
8. Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
9. Cachexia
10. Severe and chronic pain
11. Severe nausea
12. Seizures
13. Muscle spasms

Here is some more specific information on some of these conditions and how medical marijuana can help:

Cachexia: Chronic diseases and end-of-life conditions can decrease appetite and accelerate normal metabolism resulting in dangerous and uncontrolled weight loss.  Few pharmaceutical options exist at this time to counter this weight loss which ultimately threatens vital functions.  Edible MMJ has been shown to stimulate the appetite in many patients with cachexia.

Seizures: Seizures are neurological “storms” that cause partial or complete loss of consciousness, and uncontrollable muscle contractions.  Epilepsy is the overall term used for seizures  that are not linked to brain injuries, tumors, or fever.  A number of medications have been tested for their ability to control seizures.  Most of the medications require close medical monitoring to avert dangerous side effects and assure optimal control.  Edible MMJ use has been shown to help effectively control or reduce some seizures.

Muscle Spasms: Several degenerative nerve diseases result in painful, debilitating muscle contractions.  Multiple sclerosis is the most common but there are many others.  These disorders are difficult to treat and patients often struggle to maintain an active and independent life.  In many cases, patients using edible forms of MMJ have been able to reduce their symptoms and lead a more normal lifestyle.

HIV/AIDS: Infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disrupts the immune system of the body in some cases leading to dangerous infections and tumors as found in the full-blown diagnosis of AIDS (Adult Immunodeficiency Syndrome).  A number of expensive medications that block HIV have been prescribed in an effort to prevent AIDS and its complications.

Severe Nausea: Occasionally, patients have unexplained but recurrent vomiting and upset stomach that is so severe that it interferes with work and social functions, and creates dangerous weight loss.  More often, such patients have another underlying problem that is causing nausea and vomiting.  Only a few prescription pharmaceuticals exist to control this problem.  Edible forms of Medical marijuana reduce nausea symptoms and permit body weight stability and better nutrition.

Glaucoma: In this disorder, the pressure in the eyeball increases to high enough levels that it blocks blood flow to critical structures in the eye, destroying eyesight.  Ophthalmologists prescribe special eye drops to control pressure.  These drops are often quite expensive and of limited benefit.  However, edible forms of MMJ can relieve the pressure in the eyeball, preserving sight.

Severe Pain: There are several common Severe Pain issues:

BACK PAIN. The most common cause of severe pain that brings people to consider MMJ isback pain. Usually, this is caused when the disks between the spinal vertebrae wear, shrink, or bulge, putting pressure on nerves in that area.  These “pinched nerves” cause pain, numbness, and unpleasant sensations that can extend down the arms or legs.  Often, patients will have already sought numbing injections to reduce the pain, may be using opiate pain relievers and NSAIDs, and sometimes will have already underwent surgery to relief nerve pressure.  Many of my patients have found that using edible forms of medical marijuana has helped them immensely with their chronic back pain issues, without the side effects of opiates or the expense of injections or risks of surgery.

JOINT PAIN. The inflammation of arthritis causes unpleasant swelling, redness, and deep joint pain.  Osteoarthritis, the kind of arthritis we get with aging, is often treated with NSAIDS, opiate pain killers, and joint injections, as well as nutritional supplements.  Rheumatoid arthritis is more destructive and usually begins at an earlier age.  Patients are often prescribed medicine that shuts down the immune system to try to stop or slow the joint destruction.  Often, patients using edible forms of MMJ have been able to avoid some of these unpleasant side effects and get relief from their joint pain.

MIGRAINE HEADACHE.  These recurrent headaches produce severe pain, light and sound sensitivity, nausea, and are quite debilitating.  Patients may be been prescribed medicines to either prevent these headaches from starting or medicines designed to stop then once they have started.  Some patients have found that edible forms of medical marijuana shortens their headaches and in some cases, stops the headaches from occurring so often.

DYSMENORRHEA.  Many women suffer from severe pain and nausea at the time of their menstrual period.  Hormonal supplements and NSAID are often prescribed to help with this pain.  Many women have found that edible forms of MMJ is a way to deal with this monthly pain effectively & discreetly without resorting to narcotics or hormones for relief.

 

"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.