Does Severe Arthritis Quality for Medical Marijuana in Arkansas?

As of 2016, an estimated 31.6% of people in Arkansas suffer from arthritis. With a population of roughly 3 million, this is over 300,000 people in Arkansas alone experiencing arthritic pain and stiffness. In the Unites States, more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis, and it is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older.

 

Medical marijuana is an approved therapy for those with arthritis in Arkansas. By using cannabis, patients may experience symptomatic relief for a wide range of arthritis types.

 

How Does Medical Marijuana Help Severe Arthritis?

There is no cure for arthritis. Those with this condition turn to medications and lifestyle changes to help manage their symptoms. Unfortunately, the traditional treatment options for arthritic pain do not work for everyone, and some come with long-term health risks; take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). While they can help to relieve some arthritis inflammation and pain, long-term or heavy use can harm our heart, kidneys, and stomach. 

 

Medical marijuana may help relieve the swelling, stiffness, and pain associated with arthritis. While more research is needed to determine exactly how, and to what extent, medical marijuana might help, early research is promising. This research suggests that cannabinoids found in marijuana might offer relief for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, the two most common forms of this disease. 

 

Cannabinoids such as CBD and THC found in medical marijuana might help arthritis sufferers through their anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. Research has shown that medical cannabis can act as an effective pain relief while also finding that THC lacked the toxic side effects found in many traditional medicines and prescriptions. 

 

THC and CBD exhibit these properties largely through their interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in our inflammatory and pain responses. The ECS has receptors throughout the body that interact with THC and CBD to give full body relief, allowing patients to choose cannabis products for both full body relief and specific problem-areas.

 

Get Medical Marijuana in Arkansas with Arkansas Marijuana Card

Arkansas Marijuana Card has doctor offices throughout the state of Arkansas that specialize in helping qualified patients access medical marijuana. If you’re interested in discussing whether medical marijuana is right for you, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Give us a call or schedule an appointment online for more information. You can also check out our frequently asked questions page.