The city of Illinois is experiencing sustainable growth in its medical marijuana program. From August 2018 to this year, the number of patients in the state has nearly doubled from roughly 44,000 to over 83,000.
The recent increase can be attributed to the elimination of fingerprint requirements and background checks for medical marijuana patient applications. Earlier this year, the government added qualifying conditions like migraines and chronic pain in the Illinois medical marijuana program.
While lower costs and tax benefits have made medical marijuana a popular commodity in Illinois, its wide-ranging benefits have been the decisive factor for the rise in sales. Outlined in this article are significant benefits of using marijuana to enhance general health.
It Can Treat Chronic Pain
Around 11 to 40 percent of Illinois adults live with chronic pain. Usually, chronic pain is a result of HIV/AIDS, cancer, migraine, infection, or past surgeries. It is the primary cause of disability in the U.S., affecting over 25 million adults.
Opting for Illinois medical marijuana program relieves chronic pain, thanks to its ingredient endocannabinoid, which acts as the receptors in the brain. The endocannabinoid generally regulates the body and manages the pain.
It Relieves Mental Illness
Only 44.6 percent of Illinois adults with mental illness receive some form of treatment. Reasons contributing to the low number of treatments is stemmed from the high cost of psychiatric therapies and medicines.
The state of Illinois enables patients to work with third-party organizations to get a medical marijuana card and ensure lower medical costs. Getting a medical marijuana card reduces the taxes to around one percent on cannabis.
They can also get a higher dosage to improve the symptoms of their health condition. This is incredibly helpful for someone suffering from mental illnesses, which require added dosages to fight off post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and stress symptoms.
They Can Help with Cancer and Other Ailments
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Illinois. It affects more than 100,000 individuals in the state, with each county having at least 500 patients.
Medical marijuana, which consists of oral cannabinoids, has been seen to be effective in warding off vomiting and nausea as a result of chemotherapy. They can also help improve food intake and treat pain that is caused by the nerves.
Cannabis is also argued to kill some types of cancer and slow down the growth of cancerous cells. They can also enhance symptoms of spasticity among individuals with multiple sclerosis, mild stroke, and epilepsy.
It Lowers the Risk of Opioid Deaths
While this might seem counter-intuitive, the occasional use of marijuana for medical purposes may also minimize the danger of addiction among users. The therapeutic use of cannabis has been linked with 64 percent lower opioid use in individuals with chronic pain. Besides medical marijuana, you can buy seeds online that are affordable and easy-to-grow.
Opioid overdoses have killed close to 11,000 people in Illinois. Rate shows that there are 17.2 deaths per 100,000 opioid addicts.
Medical marijuana has been considered as an adjunct therapy for opioid addiction because of its efficacy and safety. Cannabis also helps minimize the cravings for opioids and withdrawal symptoms.
While medical marijuana brings a plethora of health benefits, speaking to an expert will ensure a smooth-sailing adaptation. Talk to a professional and find out how cannabis can help you today.
