Medical Marijuana Hospice Pros and Cons (Research, Video 2:00)

The number of states with medical marijuana laws in place continues to grow. Healthcare workers should be aware of the scientific rationale and practical implications for its use in treating diseases and relieving symptoms. According to Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia), the Cannabis plant (marijuana, Mary Jane, weed, pot, grass, herb, reefer, joint, blunt, etc.) has a history of medicinal uses dating back thousands of years across many cultures. However, its long-term effects are not clear, and its use for certain medical applications is insufficient for conclusions about safety or efficacy. Medical marijuana is used to reduce nausea and vomiting, to improve appetite in people with HIV-AIDS, and to treat chronic pain and muscle spasms.

Medical marijuana is also used for Alzheimer’sdisease. Of the 24 states and localities where medical marijuana is legal, dementia is a qualifying condition in 10 states primarily for agitation of Alzheimer's disease. Where information was available regarding qualifying certification conditions in five states, dementia was the indication for fewer than 5% of medical marijuana certifications. Although few applicants for medical marijuana list dementia as the reason for seeking certification, providers should be aware that dementia is a potential indication for licensing despite lack of evidence for its efficacy.

The literature on medical marijuana, which includes studies involving hundreds of patients, was reviewed by Medline  from 1948-March 2015. Their results reported that use of marijuana for chronic pain, neuropathic pain, and spasticity due to multiple sclerosis is supported by high-quality evidence. However, physicians and other healthcare workers should educate themselves because some uses of the drug medically may lack evidence to support treatment with marijuana. They should also educate their patients about medical marijuana to ensure that it is used appropriately and that patients will benefit from its use. Eating edible marijuana is more popular than smoking it.

Valley Hospice was the first hospice in the state of Arizona to use medical marijuana in their comprehensive hospice program. In this video, Dr. Margaret King and patients explain how the program started and concerns about the use of medical marijuana:

You can read about marijuana and older adult use here.

Frances Shani Parker, Author

Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog

Marijuana: Older Adult Use (Research, Video 2:15)

Marijuana, also known as cannabis, weed, Mary Jane, and other names, continues to gain acceptance and popularity in our society. However, the Pew Research Center reports that 74% of adults 65 and older are still uncomfortable about marijuana smoking, and 22% say they never used it. But many older adults, particularly those from the boomer generation, do use marijuana for health and social purposes. Eating edible marijuana is more popular than smoking it. Hospice patients in states where marijuana is legal can also choose treatment with marijuana to manage their symptoms and make them more comfortable. Even some retirees with medical challenges are deciding to move to states with legalized marijuana.

In a study of marijuana users in the San Francisco Bay Area, participants were

researched through history interviews, questionnaires, and health surveys in order to learn their perspectives regarding marijuana harm reduction. Results indicated that participants minimized marijuana harm so they could maintain social functioning in their everyday lives. Responsible and controlled use was described in the following ways:

          1) Moderation of quantity

          2) Frequency of marijuana used

          3) Using in appropriate setting

          4) Respect for non-users

Participants followed rituals or cultural practices while using rules that helped them define what was "normal" or "acceptable" marijuana use. Users with access to a regulated market (medical marijuana dispensaries) were better equipped to practice harm reduction.

This video describes the growing trend of older adult use of marijuana.

You can read about hospice use of medical marijuana here.

Frances Shani Parker, Author

Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.

Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog