Medical Marijuana and Spinal Cord Injuries

Patients with spinal cord injuries with paralysis of their legs and/or arms, often have severe chronic pain and muscle spasms. The conventional treatment for these symptoms is synthetic medications, including high dose opiates, tranquilizers, and sedatives.  These medication have significant negative side effects and can even be fatal if mixed and taken incorrectly.  Many of these types of patients have already found tremendous relief with medical cannabis use and find that they do not need prescription medications.  There have been a number of scientific studies that found THC (the main compound in cannabis) to be effective in reducing spasticity (muscle spasms).  In a survey conducted at the Veterans Administration hospitals, 88% of patients surveyed with spinal cord injuries stated that they had relief of spasticity with cannabis use.   There are many studies that have shown that patients with chronic severe pain get excellent relief with cannabis.  To sum up, those patients who suffer with paraplegia or quadriplegia often find pain reduction/elimination and relaxation of spasticity with medical cannabis use, all without the negative and unwanted side effects of conventional medications.  Remember it is all about daily quality of life.