The use of medicinal cannabis has grown exponentially over recent years to treat specific medical conditions.
State-led medical marijuana programs have also made a positive impact on those who use them in states that have legalized use for medical purposes.
November 1-7 marks National Medical Cannabis Week, dedicated to increased awareness of medical cannabis and its benefits among societies and make it more accessible to individuals who need it as a source of relief for certain ailments.
Although access to medical marijuana has improved over time, there’s still a significant stigma that surrounds the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
How did medicinal cannabis gain its prominence?
If we look into the origins of the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, it dates back to 1550 BC when the ancient Egyptians used it to ease the discomfort from hemorrhoid pain.
Cannabis was eventually classified as a ‘drug’ but regained traction in the 1970s and 1980s when cancer and AIDS patients began to notice significant improvements in the levels of pain they were experiencing through the use of medicinal cannabis.
With medically-backed reasoning, medical marijuana was finally legalized in 1996 as a treatment measure to obtain relief from certain health conditions.
What was the founding process of National Medical Cannabis Week?
After the legalization of medicinal cannabis, there was a positive response to its use as a potential relief-inducing component for most health conditions. It also led to:
- A Gallup poll resulted in 60% of votes requesting the legalization of cannabis in 2016 in Florida, North Dakota, Arkansas and Montana, and the District of Colombia
- The US FDA approving Epidiolex, which contains plant-based marijuana extracts, in 2018
- The 2018 Farm Bill stating that hemp-derived products are legal across the US
What’s the importance of National Medical Cannabis Week?
While the primary goal is to create awareness of the use of medicinal cannabis, other factors make National Medical Cannabis Week important.
1. Encourages a sense of community
Getting people involved to spread awareness of medicinal marijuana together may be beneficial for those who want to share their experiences and encourage others who experience discomfort due to certain health conditions to do so too.
2. Promotes easy and equal access
A growing patient base and upcoming industries that focus on promoting medicinal cannabis may help encourage frequent research practices to be conducted to make it more accessible to anyone who is looking to find relief from pain due to a health condition.
3. Destigmatizes the use of medicinal cannabis
The more people involved in the event, the higher the exposure to medical marijuana treatments and how they provide a solution to discomfort caused by certain ailments. And the more exposure, the less stigmatized it will be in time to come.
What can you do to commemorate National Medical Cannabis Week?
You can do your part to provide support and raise awareness about medical marijuana by being involved in state-specified programs that advocate for it. You can also make sure to get your information from legitimate sources and follow webinars and discussions to make yourself more aware of medical marijuana use.
You can even conduct your research responsibly from legitimate sources to know what the benefits of medical marijuana are and which health conditions can benefit from it.
Accomplishing the ultimate goal of National Medical Cannabis Week
Spreading awareness and educating the public on the use of medical marijuana is vital. Hosting a week’s worth of resources and material to promote the benefits of cannabis treatment programs may help generate a more positive response towards it.
To stay informed about Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program, seek assistance via the Medical Marijuana Assistance Program (MMAP).
