MMJ: Cannabis in the Cabinet

I am getting older, and I find that my doctor wants to give me a bunch of pills to help with the aches and pains and whatnot. I’m not a hippie, but I feel weird popping several pills a day. Could weed be an effective medication? - Trip L. O’Gee

Weed won’t make your kidneys work better, but it can be an effective medicine for a number of conditions associated with the aging process. I am not a doctor, so if you do decide to try cannabis, please let your doctor know your plans and goals.

Cannabis use by people over the age of 55 has grown exponentially over the past five years. Weed can help with arthritis, and you don’t even have to smoke it. Many people use cannabis-infused lotions and creams to manage their symptoms. These creams don’t have any psychoactive effects, but because marijuana is a natural anti-inflammatory, it is great for relieving swelling and pain. CBD has been shown to help the immune system (rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune system disorder) and THC’s anti-inflammatory properties help with swelling.

Cannabis can also treat neuropathy. Here’s Dr. Mark Steve Wallace, chair of the Division of Pain Management at UC San Diego: “Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common neuropathic pain syndromes in our society. There are very few treatment options and most of the medications available have dose-limiting side effects. I frequently recommend medicinal marijuana to treat a variety of painful conditions.”

If you are having trouble getting to sleep, cannabis can help with that, too. Everyone knows that a good indica will knock you the eff out, and you will sleep hella good. Many older folks like a small dose of cannabis just before bedtime.

Talk to your doctor, start with low doses and see how you feel. Americans for Safe Access has some good information: safeaccessnow.org/aging_booklet. Good luck, and I hope you feel better.

What is a good-sized dose for edibles? - Les Eatwell

There are a variety of factors, depending on your weight, tolerance levels, metabolism, yadda yadda. A good rule of thumb is about 10 milligrams of THC per 100 pounds body weight. The best way to find your level is to ingest 10 milligrams or so and wait a few hours to see how you feel. You can always eat more, but you can’t uneat THC, if you know what I mean.