Medical marijuana continues to be a trending health topic, particularly with its increasing use among older adults. The regulations on access to cannabis for medical purposes were first established by the Government of Canada in 2001. Today, researchers continue to explore the use of cannabis as an alternative remedy for many health problems that are common with age, including chronic pain, depression and sleep disorders. While more evidence is urgently needed, emerging research hints at marijuana’s potential to reduce and possibly replace some pharmaceutical-based medications that many seniors are taking. Drug safety continues to be a priority in supporting our aging population, and many older adults are intrigued by alternative approaches to health care. Demystifying medical marijuana is the first step in evaluating its role as a medical treatment and whether it’s right for you. Read our resources below.
Medical marijuana
Featured Resources
1. Blog Post: Weeding out the truth: Cannabis-based medications for cancer patients
2. Web Resource Rating: How effective is medical marijuana
3. Web Resource Rating: Muscle relaxants
4. Evidence Summary: Cannabinoids for nausea and vomiting in adults with cancer receiving chemotherapy
5. Evidence Summary: Cannabinoids for fibromyalgia
6. Evidence Summary: Psychosocial interventions for cannabis use disorder
DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).
Many of our Blog Posts were written before the COVID-19 pandemic and thus do not necessarily reflect the latest public health recommendations. While the content of new and old blogs identify activities that support optimal aging, it is important to defer to the most current public health recommendations. Some of the activities suggested within these blogs may need to be modified or avoided altogether to comply with changing public health recommendations. To view the latest updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada, please visit their website.
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