Does medical marijuana work for chronic pain?

Posted by mmoss @mmoss, Mar 27, 2021

Does Medical marijuana work for chronic pain. Looking for alternatives to Vicodin.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

@julie11

While not as effective as oxycodone for my nighttime gut pain, I've found that medical cannabis is somewhat helpful in letting me get to sleep. And I'm willing to take it more often. What has worked best for me so far is a 3CBD:1THC mint that can be dissolved under the tongue, started about a half hour before bedtime. I've tried a vape pen which was quicker-acting but find it irritates my throat. I also tried an oil-based tincture that tasted terrible and took forever to kick in. (This is all legal, even recreationally, in my state.)

Jump to this post

You might consider taking the tincture earlier in the evening so it works when you’re ready for bed. Tinctures are usually flavored to make the palatable, I was surprised by your comment about tinctures. In my state we only have medical and only oral tinctures and no gummies, mints, lollipops, etc. I use tinctures 4 x day and they work well and help me sleep very well.

REPLY
@cookierockwell

I tried full spectrum CBD tincture and balm, and neither helped me at all. Decided to bite the bullet and get my medical marijuana card, and the tincture and balm I use now help me a lot.

I use only the Indica strain, which is the best strain for pain, according to my research.

I recently found out about Delta-8, and checked that it's legal in my state. I'm going to be trying Delta-8 tincture and balm, and if it helps, I'm going to use that instead of Delta-9. That would allow me to stop paying for my medical marijuana card and doctor, which would save me a bunch of $$$.

If anyone has used Delta-8 tincture or balm, I'd be very interested in hearing your experience, if you'd care to share it.

Thanks and best wishes to all,
Cookie

Jump to this post

You’ll most likely be disappointed. These products have less than 0.3% THC which is why they are legal. The stuff you get from dispensaries is much more than 0.3% THC and why it worked for you.

REPLY
@jenatsky

You might consider taking the tincture earlier in the evening so it works when you’re ready for bed. Tinctures are usually flavored to make the palatable, I was surprised by your comment about tinctures. In my state we only have medical and only oral tinctures and no gummies, mints, lollipops, etc. I use tinctures 4 x day and they work well and help me sleep very well.

Jump to this post

I'm glad the tinctures work for you! I may try another variety sometime. The one I got says to take on an empty stomach, and then kicks in after a couple hours. So I could either take it before dinner and feel the effect at about 8pm (too early) or take it hours after dinner and not the feel the effect until well into the night.

REPLY
@julie11

I'm glad the tinctures work for you! I may try another variety sometime. The one I got says to take on an empty stomach, and then kicks in after a couple hours. So I could either take it before dinner and feel the effect at about 8pm (too early) or take it hours after dinner and not the feel the effect until well into the night.

Jump to this post

In what state do you reside in? I’m surprised that your product gives specific instructions like that. I’ve never seen a hemp derived product with specific use instructions

REPLY
@clmiller

I live in s Dakota I have chronic pain from daily headaches and several car accidents! Recently take Botox shots in my face for pain! Who qualifies in SDak for medical cannabis! Can I get help!

Jump to this post

Good afternoon..

I have just reviewed the SDAK update on adult marijuana legalization vote last month. Here is what I found......."After a lawsuit overturned a voter-approved ballot initiative in South Dakota to legalize cannabis in 2020, MPP led the charge to put the issue back on the ballot in November 2022. Unfortunately, the statutory initiative that would have legalized cannabis for adults known as Measure 27, was defeated 52.9% to 47.1% in the 2022 midterm election where voter turnout was significantly lower than 2020."

Here is the site URL for you to have in the future.
https://disa.com/maps/marijuana-legality-by-state

I would also check on physician-prescribed medical cannabis. There may be a loophole.
Does this help get you started?
May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

REPLY

What about CBD oil without any cannabis in it? My sister swears by it for pain, depression, anxiety etc without any of the effects of marijuana and it's legal in the USA

REPLY
@queenofhearts921

What about CBD oil without any cannabis in it? My sister swears by it for pain, depression, anxiety etc without any of the effects of marijuana and it's legal in the USA

Jump to this post

CBD oil is not known to do anything significant for pain, depression or anxiety. This is basically hype put out a sales pitch for products grown cheap with high retail. Can they work on some people? Maybe a little, could be more of a placebo effect. What may seem to help someone, may not help another at all. The price for these over the counter oils and salves is crazy. The only good thing is it is natural. Only CBD issues I know of is that it may interfere with blood thinners you are on, but it could do the same with certain drugs you need. Always confer with your Doctor before adding supplements to your routine. Nothing in life is harmless.

REPLY

Big issue with Cannabis is that you hear stories like my friend, or brother, or sister and so on grow or uses; insert CBD, Oil, flower, gummies, the list of products is a mile long. If it is not medical from a dispensary, you have no idea what it is! I understand the attempt to thwart any legal implications... but today it is generally accepted to be decriminalized in most states. If you want to talk about it, use an alias sure for persons. You need to still be specific and know exactly what you are taking before commenting or asking about a products effectiveness. Some cannabis products are weak and ineffective, others a can be very powerful. Any advice or research should be taken with a grain of salt and subject to your doctors head nod. That being said, I take medical tinctures and salves for chronic pain, and it helps me. I take it instead of taking many of pharmaceutical drugs I was on in the past. I use a low THC ratio in the tincture due to anxiety. High THC for salve as it does not get into the blood stream. Kind regards

REPLY
@donrealtesting

Big issue with Cannabis is that you hear stories like my friend, or brother, or sister and so on grow or uses; insert CBD, Oil, flower, gummies, the list of products is a mile long. If it is not medical from a dispensary, you have no idea what it is! I understand the attempt to thwart any legal implications... but today it is generally accepted to be decriminalized in most states. If you want to talk about it, use an alias sure for persons. You need to still be specific and know exactly what you are taking before commenting or asking about a products effectiveness. Some cannabis products are weak and ineffective, others a can be very powerful. Any advice or research should be taken with a grain of salt and subject to your doctors head nod. That being said, I take medical tinctures and salves for chronic pain, and it helps me. I take it instead of taking many of pharmaceutical drugs I was on in the past. I use a low THC ratio in the tincture due to anxiety. High THC for salve as it does not get into the blood stream. Kind regards

Jump to this post

I have a warning re cannabis. I asked my cardiologist if it is safe to use cannabis while taking
Eliquis, high blood pressure med and beta blocker. "Sure" he said. So I went ahead and bought it. I just did not feel 'right' after the first few doses so stopped taking it. Looked up drugs that are not recommended to take with cannabis and.....wait for it: There have been very few studies on this issue and it was recommended that cannabis should NOT be used until it is proven to be safe to do so. I did not want to stop taking my heart/blood pressure meds so will grin and bear the pain. I don't want to stop seeing him but I will certainly check out any information he gives me from now on.

REPLY
@queenofhearts921

What about CBD oil without any cannabis in it? My sister swears by it for pain, depression, anxiety etc without any of the effects of marijuana and it's legal in the USA

Jump to this post

Good evening @queenofhearts921, I am trying to figure out your question. CBD is cannabis. So how do you get CBD oil without any cannabis or marijuana in it? Am I missing something? It is legal as long as there is no more than .05 percent THC. This can all be confusing. You can use Leafly to learn more about CBD. There is also a new site that has helpful dosing assistance.

https://www.projectcbd.org/guidance/cbd-dosing

Please let me know if you have experiences to share or questions looking for answers.
Chris

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.