It is no secret that when you take any medication that you run the risk of having one of several side effects as a result.   As physicians, we often hand a patient a script without even really understanding the full ramifications of taking it.     More and more research is looking into the [...]

Today I took care of 79 year old women who suffers chronic pain from severe arthritis in her hands, hips and feet. For the past 10 years she has used medical marijuana exclusively. She did bring in a plastic bag full of old medications and dumped them on my desk. They consisted of NSAID’s, Opiates, Muscle Relaxants, Benzodiazepines, Sleep Aids and a antacid for reflux.

She was happy to report that since she started using medical marijuana she has not had to take one other medication! Cannabis use in the elderly is rapidly increasing. Elderly people socialize together and talk. As soon as she told all her friends at Leisure World about her success they are ready to sign up. READ ON…

Each year as patients follow up to renew their medical marijuana recommendations I sit down with them and take a full assessment of their medical status. What I love about this practice is the majority of them respond with “I am doing better”. Whether it is a reduction in their symptoms, a decreased dependance on their medications or improvement in their relationships or functionality, they are improving. READ ON….

Today at my Irvine office I evaluated a 51 year old women who wanted an evaluation to see if medical marijuana could provide relief for some of the symptoms she has been experience as a result of menopause. Specifically she had been suffering from severe hot flashes which caused secondary insomnia. As a result of not being able to sleep well she was “always tired” during the day. Her ob/gyn had tried prescribing paxil and ambien to help relieve her symptoms but the side effects were worse than what she was trying to relieve. A few weeks back a friend of hers that had a medical marijuana card for chronic pain gave her some marijuana to try to improve her sleep. The results “were amazing” she told me.

As medical director for medical cannabis of southern california I provide medical marijuana recommendations for patients throughout Orange County and Long Beach. One of the most common complaints that I here from patients is that they are tired of taking Xanax to treat their anxiety because of all the side effects and want a safer more natural alternative. Marijuana has been shown to have incredible anxiolytic properties and has limited unwanted side effects.

As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I evaluate the benefits and risks of using cannabis (marijuana) with patients every day. Interesting many patients are not aware that there are risks associated with using cannabis.