EDUCATION + RESEARCH
MEDICAL MINUTE WITH NURSE JORDAN
In this column, our readers have the opportunity to ask our staff nurse anything they want to know about using cannabis plant medicine. She will provide quick and concise answers to big questions. In this issue, we dive into why people age 65 and over are turning to cannabis. Read on as we explore some commonly asked questions about seniors using cannabis.
CANNABIS IS A KNOWN PAIN RELIEVER.
WHAT SPECIFIC AILMENTS CAN SENIORS USE CANNABIS FOR? Before we talk ailments, let’s talk retirement. Generally speaking the senior population has extra time on their hands. One of the most amazing things about cannabis is its ability to enhance daily activities. The mundane becomes the enjoyable, all thanks to a plant. A common complaint for the aging population is pain,1 and cannabis is a known pain reliever. Relief from conditions like arthritis may be found from a cannabis topical and a tincture taken by mouth. Anxiety and depression can also be a part of the aging process. Cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, and CBC (cannabichomonene) may contribute to the mood-elevating effects of cannabis.2 AS I CONTINUE TO AGE, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR ME TO CONSUME CANNABIS? Not all seniors are savvy smokers, nor do they want to be. Smoking cannabis provides the quickest response, however, it also fades the fastest. Experimenting with edibles and tinctures may provide the most long-lasting effects. It is important to try different methods and cultivars. Keep a journal to document everything you try. Include the time of day, what you try, amount you take, and effects felt after how much time has elapsed. This way, if you enjoy the feeling of a particular product you will know what it was and how much you took, so you can try to duplicate the effect. 8
