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Version 3 Version 4
Doctors on the Use of Medical Cannabis Doctors on the Use of Medical Cannabis
(about 5 hours later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “More Seniors Are Choosing Pot Over Pills” (front page, Nov. 17):Re “More Seniors Are Choosing Pot Over Pills” (front page, Nov. 17):
As a primary care doctor, I have been discussing, recommending and prescribing cannabis to my patients over my entire 25-year career. I have known it was a medicine since I saw it help my brother Danny during his unsuccessful battle with childhood leukemia.As a primary care doctor, I have been discussing, recommending and prescribing cannabis to my patients over my entire 25-year career. I have known it was a medicine since I saw it help my brother Danny during his unsuccessful battle with childhood leukemia.
My family procured it for him illegally in the early 1970s as they had heard about the benefits. It was transformational, as Danny could now hold down food and, importantly from my perspective, play with his little brothers during the time he had left.My family procured it for him illegally in the early 1970s as they had heard about the benefits. It was transformational, as Danny could now hold down food and, importantly from my perspective, play with his little brothers during the time he had left.
As primary care doctors, we do not prescribe “perfectly safe medications” ever. No drug or medicine comes with zero toxicity. Rather, we prescribe the medicine that we believe will have the least toxicity and that will alleviate whatever ailment we are treating.As primary care doctors, we do not prescribe “perfectly safe medications” ever. No drug or medicine comes with zero toxicity. Rather, we prescribe the medicine that we believe will have the least toxicity and that will alleviate whatever ailment we are treating.
I have found that having medical cannabis in my toolbox has vastly improved my ability to treat anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain, to give a few examples — problems that plague our older populations, and that are often unsafely and ineffectively treated by current pharmaceutical options.I have found that having medical cannabis in my toolbox has vastly improved my ability to treat anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain, to give a few examples — problems that plague our older populations, and that are often unsafely and ineffectively treated by current pharmaceutical options.
It is difficult to argue that cannabis is more toxic, especially if used judiciously, than many of the pharma options we often provide.
It is no surprise to me that, as we roll back our ineffective war on drugs, and as older Americans increasingly have legal access to cannabis as an option, the usage in this population is increasing. In many cases, we are finding cannabis to be a more effective and safer alternative.