As we age naturally, life can feel like a balancing act: managing health issues, staying active, and staying positive can be too much at times. For many people, managing chronic pain, sleep disorders, or mental conditions can be a daily struggle. It can be worth considering a natural and non-intrusive answer to relieving these burdens and improving quality of life. That’s where medical cannabis clinics come in, and it is quickly becoming a sought-out solution for many people.

It is not difficult to see why people remain cautious around cannabis: It is often met with stigma and mystery. However, since medicinal cannabis became available in the UK, and organisations like Releaf are leading a charge to demystify it, people are starting to learn that cannabis has the ability to alleviate many health issues, without the side effects of conventional medication.

Why medical cannabis is increasing in popularity among older adults

As we age, our bodies will naturally change in ways that make things in life more difficult, such as handling pain, sleeping, or staying sharp mentally. Pain and stiffness due to arthritis, muscle aches, nerve damage, and disturbed sleep become more common in midlife and beyond, and relief is often an endless odyssey for many of us. This is where medical cannabis could come to the rescue.

For chronic pain patients, medical cannabis can be a relief where other pain medications are ineffective. Whether it is arthritis or nerve pain due to diseases like sciatica, cannabis has been proven to reduce inflammation and ease pain. Unlike opioids and other pain medications, cannabis has fewer side effects and less potential for addiction. Research suggests that cannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) can help make people feel better without the high price to the body that other treatments sometimes have.

Nonetheless, pain is only one part of the issue

As we age, many people have sleep problems, either difficulty falling asleep, sleeping, or just not feeling rested upon waking. As we get older, our sleep habits change, and insomnia or restless legs can disrupt a good night’s sleep. Medical cannabis can help here, too. THC, for example, has been shown to make people fall asleep faster, and CBD can assist in making the quality of sleep better so that people can stay asleep longer.

And it’s not just body health: Mental health is just as important. Many individuals reaching midlife experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, or even mental impairment. Many are dealing with the loss of loved ones, challenges of retirement, or other major life transitions. Some of these feelings have been alleviated by cannabis. CBD, for example, is thoroughly documented as having a soothing effect, which can reduce anxiety and calm the person. THC also improves the mood and can even reduce symptoms of depression.

The rising trend of cannabis use in older adults

A research report indicates that an increasing number of older people are turning to cannabis for relief from everything from chronic pain to insomnia and even psychiatric disorders. A survey by AARP in the United States found that over 20% of older people have used cannabis, and they report it is making them healthier in ways that prescription medication did not.

Research found that medical marijuana patients experienced significant improvement in pain, quality of life, and mood. That is important because it highlights the good that cannabis can accomplish, not just for the body, but for quality of life too. However, despite its growing popularity, there is still a stigma that exists around cannabis. This is where medical cannabis clinics like Releaf are dismantling it. With professional counselling, education, and support, Releaf is breaking down the myths and educating people about how cannabis is a safe and legitimate option for health enhancement.

Releaf: Pioneering the way in medical cannabis care

Releaf is one of the UK’s top medical cannabis clinics, based on this list of medical cannabis clinics in the UK, and it’s out to bring cannabis to individuals who would benefit most from it, most particularly the elderly who are sceptical or wary of taking it.

What sets Releaf apart is its commitment to education. Far too many people simply don’t know enough about medical cannabis to feel comfortable using it. Releaf provides clear, compassionate information, teaching patients how cannabis can help them and what to expect from the treatment process. With Releaf, there is no need to be confused or uncertain about using cannabis: Their dedication to education and removing the stigma around cannabis shines through on their website, in their services, and at their medical cannabis clinics.

Time to try the medical alternative?

If you’re reaching midlife or beyond and looking for ways to manage pain, sleep better, or improve your mental health, medical cannabis is definitely worth considering. It’s increasingly becoming a popular and effective treatment option for older people in the UK, and with trailblazing clinics like Releaf leading the way, access to this natural treatment is easier than ever.

With its ability to kill pain and improve mental health, cannabis is offering a healthier, more natural approach to aging. So, if you’re keen to know how it might work for you, do get in touch with a clinic such as Releaf: They’ll guide you through every step and help you make an informed choice as to whether or not medical cannabis is right for you.

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And by drug trade, I mean cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy, largely. The more – shall we say – exotic options like acid are apparently less popular right now. But if you thought people might be worried about their health, and cutting back on stuff that’s bad for you, think again. People are taking drugs in lockdown. In abundance.

Not getting the true picture

A quick look at the generic headlines about the illicit drug trade during the pandemic, and you’d believe that crackdowns are happening, prices are rising, and supply is difficult. But this couldn’t be further from the truth, according to one dealer we spoke to. I’ll call him Mr Smith.

“Demand is through the roof. People are bored, locked down… When you can’t go to the pub or whatever, what else are you going to do?”

“Demand is through the roof,” he says. “People are bored, locked down, nothing to do. My supply chain is fine – there’s no issue with anything getting through. If anything, business has rocketed. When you can’t go to the pub or whatever, what else are you going to do?

“I’m having no trouble with my supply. I have to plan a bit more carefully, because I can’t meet up on the spur of the moment, so I have to think about my orders. But stuff is coming in from overseas just fine. I’ve no idea how, I don’t ask.”

Making lockdown fun

So everyone has their favourite poison. Some people are looking to relax, to while away the days like they used to back in time before responsibilities and jobs. Others are looking to have some hedonistic fun and let off steam. Many are going for both.

…come Friday night they shove the kids in bed and rack up a few lines or bosh a pill, turn up the music, neck some beers…

“People are buying cannabis to calm down during lockdown, and deal with feelings of claustrophobia or frustration or whatever. I get people buying green to try and stay calm because the other half or the kids are driving them mad. Women seem to be coping better – maybe it’s because they’re at less risk, they’re less afraid or stressed. They’re better at most things, to be fair.

“So I’ve got people interested in weed, for example, to try and chill the fuck out. But then come Friday night they shove the kids in bed and rack up a few lines or bosh a pill, turn up the music, neck some beers. I think it’s stopping a lot of people from going mad actually, having their own little parties at home.”

I’m immediately thinking about lung health, and meeting people, and the lack of social distancing – you probably are too. Surely this kind of activity is madness right now?

“Yeah, but what can I do? I’ve got another business, which is on its arse. I wouldn’t be able to feed my kids if I weren’t doing this and honestly, it’s booming. I’m glad people are taking drugs in lockdown!

“I’m really careful about the handover – I can’t do contactless payments, obviously. But I don’t get too close, I have very private spaces to meet up and I’m scrupulous about washing. I do my best, and so far, so good.”

The biggest demand is from older clients

Maybe it’s because they’re enjoying free time that they don’t normally get. Not having to go into the office each day means they can have a blaze and watch Netflix all afternoon. Pretend they’re 20 again

“You’d be surprised at the type of punters I’m seeing more of, actually. Average age is between 45 and 60-plus. Maybe they’re the ones with the cashola right now, I dunno. I’m not seeing many youngsters, that’s for sure. Maybe they’re all working, driving and stacking shelve. The oldies are rocking it right now anyway, and they’re great punters.

“Maybe also it’s because they’re enjoying free time that they don’t normally get, you know, if they’re furloughed or whatever. Not having to go into the office each day means they can have a blaze and watch Netflix all afternoon. People taking drugs in lockdown means they can pretend they’re 20 again.

“But across the board, all the stuff, demand is through the roof. Makes me laugh, the governments of the world trying to stop this trade. It’ll always be there, because there’s always demand.”

The terminally ill

It’s not just recreational though. Mr Smith has a clientele that also includes people who are terminally ill. They buy cannabis because it helps them with their pain, or the fear, or sense of wellbeing. And he has a working relationship with more than one local hospice where they don’t just tolerate him, they welcome him.

“I have a number of clients who are terminally ill… it’s something I can do to help, make their final days a bit better

“I have a number of clients who are terminally ill, and I charge them far less, the margin is a lot smaller. Because it’s something I can do that’s good. I feel like it’s something I can do to help, make their final days a bit better. It’s a dirty trade, I want to try and do something decent in the middle of it all.

“But actually by doing this, I’m technically a felon, I could be locked up with rapists and killers. How fucked is that? For selling something that helps dying people feel better?

“The nurses at the hospice call me The Happy Bunny, because after I’ve been there ten minutes and people have had a vape or whatever, suddenly they’re all feeling great. They’re sitting up and feeling well, feeling less pain, and chatting and laughing. It’s magical actually.

The nature of the business being what it is… sometimes I turn up to see a client and they’ve gone and died

“I like to stay and hang out there with them a bit, it’s nice. And the nurses are like, ‘we can throw all the drugs the NHS has got at them, but what you bring into this place makes them happy’.

“So I like to do my bit. I can’t go in there at the moment, obviously. I hope they’re alright. The nature of the business being what it is, sometimes I turn up to see a client (I refuse to call them patients) and they’re not there any more. They’ve gone and died. That always makes me sad.

“I don’t know how those nurses do that job. People dying on you all the time.”

As told to Silver Magazine, names withheld

Sam Harrington-Lowe

Sam is Silver’s founder and editor-in-chief. She’s largely responsible for organising all the things, but still finds time to do the odd bit of writing. Not enough though. Send help.

The post Everyone wants to get high. Why drugs are a boom industry right now appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Since 1928, cannabis has been illegal. Cannabis is classed as a Class B drug, meaning it’s labelled as less ‘hard’ than drugs such as cocaine, ketamine and cocaine — it also means that the punishment for possession of it is less extreme.

It is illegal to grow or process cannabis in the UK. Being caught can come with a five year maximum sentence, along with a maximum fine. However, supplying the plant for drug dealing purposes can land you up to 14 years in prison. Even being in possession of small amounts may result in a fine.

Prosecution rates for being in possession of cannabis is 15% in Devon and Cornwall, whilst Durham police stating that they’re not even targeting recreational users.

However, some police forces within the UK are more laid back than others. Prosecution rates for being in possession of cannabis is 15% in Devon and Cornwall, whilst Durham police stating that they’re not even targeting recreational users.

This suggests a different attitude in recent times. There is increasing parliamentary pressure about decriminalising cannabis, not to mention the change in strategy for many police forces. This change in attitude could be attributed to a couple of different reasons.

Many states in North America are now leading by example in their decriminalisation of drugs – namely Alaska, California, Colorado, Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. Washington, being the capital city, was a huge statement about the current trend.

The second reason why the UK may appear to be on the same trend, is the legality and rise of use of CBD oil. CBD oil is treated for many different health conditions, and whilst the psychoactive THC compound is removed, the public and authorities are becoming more familiar with the use of cannabis products.

In what respect is cannabis legal in the UK?

It may surprise you to know that cannabis seeds are entirely legal to buy and sell in the UK. It’s incredibly easy to buy cannabis seeds online, with no extra red tape or threat of the law. Companies like Seedsman are selling breeders and seeds, along with a plethora of peripheral cannabis products.

But whilst many police forces are taking a relaxed attitude towards growing small amounts of cannabis for personal use, it still remains illegal, and very much punishable if it looks like there’s an intent to sell.

Cannabis seeds are also used for a multitude of reasons beyond growing weed. For example, it can be used as bird food, fishing bait, collecting and so on.

Medical cannabis

In 2018, doctors were finally given the nod for prescribing cannabis products for medical use. This was a huge step towards legality, as this was the first step in the case of North America. Whilst there are only a certain few conditions that can be treated legally with cannabis, this is expected to be expanded.

Currently, the Conservative government is still opposed to the recreational use of cannabis, although the Tories were, in fact, the party to approve medicinal use. Labour, on the other hand, have often approached the issue with much more relaxed attitudes.

Jeremy Corbyn, along with other members of the Shadow Cabinet, has expressed support for increasing the availability of medical cannabis products on the NHS, whilst Labour MP David Lammy has predicted future cannabis policy reform. Certainly some political voices expect cannabis to be legal within the next 10 years, if not five.

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Did you know marijuana has medicinal properties, reducing and curing afflictions such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, epileptic fits, Parkinson’s, dementia, migraines, chronic muscle pain and joint aches? Also that it could reduce the risk of diabetes, cataracts and glaucoma? And also alleviate sickness and nausea from treatments for cancer and AIDs, whilst increasing lost appetite?

So why is it still illegal for medical use in the UK today?

Let’s start with the drug and how it works…

The brain and immune system produce cannabinoids in our endocannabinoid system, which bind to the body’s receptors known as CB1 and CB2. Cannabinoids are what make up marijuana (around 120 different kinds), they lock onto our receptors and cause effects in our body. The two main cannabinoids in marijuana are:

THC
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the component in marijuana that gets you high. It is also responsible for the analgesic pain relieving, anti-emetic, anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory properties of medical cannabis. Due to its psychoactive properties THC is illegal for medicinal use in the UK and is only available on the NHS in a synthetic form ‘Sativex’.

CBD
CBD (cannabidiol) is the component in marijuana that is responsible for having anti-psychotic, anti-seizure, and anti-anxiety properties. CBD is legal to sell in the UK but under strict licensing laws, and it is not allowed to be licensed as a medicine, but a dietary supplement. It must contain less than 0.2% THC.

They don’t really want you to get high, do they?

The law in the UK has been keen to very clearly distinguish between THC and CBD, making one legal only in a synthetic form, and one legal as long as it is isolated from the other. However, there is evidence to show that when ingested from the plant as it naturally occurs, THC and CBD are much more effective when given together.

High levels of THC without CBD can cause abdominal pain, dizziness, confusion, depression, nightmares, speech difficulties, chills, sweating, and even psychological and physiological dependence. Studies show that the two cannabinoids working in synergy together are much more effective.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]To kill yourself smoking it, you’d have to smoke at least 20,000 above average-sized joints in about 15 minutes[/perfectpullquote]

It’s nearly impossible to overdose on THC from cannabis. If you were to do it from edibles such as brownies or food with cannabis oil in, you’d be more likely to die from the sugar and salt first; and to kill yourself smoking it, you’d have to smoke at least 20,000 above average-sized joints in about 15 minutes.

The long and short of it is that cannabis is extremely safe (safer than its synthetic counterparts) and safer than opioids, nicotine and alcohol combined. You cannot die from it.

Sounds great so far… are there any cons?

Well, if you were to ask Theresa May, she’d say that marijuana can lead not only to psychosis and schizophrenia, but it is also a gateway drug to other substances such as crack cocaine or heroin. However, this is an antiquated and out dated argument against the legislation or decriminalisation of medical cannabis.

There is in fact more recent research to show that marijuana can be a massive help to those trying to come off harder drugs, e.g. withdrawal from heroin or alcohol addiction and that it in no ways leads people to get onto them. Though there is reason to think that THC may cause psychosis if taken in excessive quantities, CBD is thought to have anti-psychotic properties and can in fact be used to treat schizophrenia.

In countries where marijuana is legal, crops are grown with higher CBD content, such as Charlotte’s Web, so you can have little to no high but all the benefits of CBD, thus no risk of psychosis.

One of the many benefits of medical marijuana as opposed to ‘street’ versions is that there’s often a lower THC content

Marijuana can have effects such as euphoria, laughter, relaxation and increased hunger or ‘the munchies’. (Check out these ladies trying marijuana for the first time). It can also give some people dizziness, hallucinations and sickness, or maybe a lack of motivation and disinterestedness in tasks; but one of the many benefits of medical marijuana as opposed to ‘street’ versions is that there’s often a lower THC content, so you will get more of the benefits and less of the knockout.

There is also no evidence to suggest those who smoke marijuana are at greater risk of lung cancer, but if that is a worry, there are many ways to consume it that involve no smoking, such as vaping, edibles, oils, serums and rubs.

Oh, and did I mention that when Colorado legalized marijuana, over 18,000 jobs were created and it added $2.4 billion to the economy? They made so much in tax they were considering giving $7 back to every resident.

So cons, maybe not so many.

Then why is it illegal?

Though it may be legal for medicinal use in Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Puerto Rico, Poland, Czech Republic, Canada, Croatia and decriminalized in Spain, Netherlands, Slovenia, Jamaica and Chile, and legal for medical and recreational use in 29 US states… maybe the UK is just slow on the uptake on the medical and economic benefits of marijuana?

Wrong. A new report from the UN’s International Narcotics Control Board has exposed that the UK is in fact the largest producer and exporter of cannabis in the world. This doesn’t seem to sit with the British government’s stance that “cannabis has no medical properties,” and its refusal to remove it from a Class B categorisation.

As to the actual why… well, we don’t really know. Dr Henry Fisher, policy director at drug policy think-tank Volteface, spoke to LADbible last year, and was posited this exact question.

“We’re left in this interesting situation, and there’s no other policy or criminal sense quite like it, where what the reality is and what the rhetoric is, is so different.

“If you read any drug related story in which there’s a statement from the Home Office it says the same thing ‘drugs are illegal and are bad for people in communities’ and that’s why they’re illegal.”

Is that a good enough reason?!

To sum it all up: pot facts about medical marijuana

1. It is impossible to overdose on THC from the cannabis plant, unless you can smoke 20,000 joints in 15 minutes
2. It is safer than synthetic versions
3. It can help with all sorts of ailments
4. The UK is the biggest exporter for medical marijuana in the world, yet it remains illegal here
5. Marijuana has been used medically for thousands of years. In 2700BC, the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung was said to have discovered the healing properties of marijuana
6. In 1000BC in India marijuana was mixed with milk and used as an anaesthetic
7. It was also used in ancient Greece as a remedy for earache, oedema, and inflammation
8. Shakespeare used it, George Washington grew it and Queen Victoria used it for menstrual cramps
9. It was not considered bad until prohibition in the 1930s, with the real reasons for its denouncement being heavily tied up with racial tensions, fear of the paper industry from hemp and immigration (link).

Surely it’s time for a change

The stigma around marijuana being a “harmful drug” is tied up with control, fear, and who can be benefited economically (or perhaps who will lose money – pharma, I’m looking at you). The evidence is there, the pros (and cons) are clear.

If you think marijuana should be legal for medicinal use in the UK, you can write to your local MP, or sign this petition.

Still not sure? Have a look at this guy with Parkinson’s taking a small dose of cannabis oil

HAVE YOUR SAY

Should cannabis be decriminalized for medical use? Is keeping it illegal a nonsense? Or should we still be keeping this controlled substance safe in case drug use gets out of hand? Comment below, and let us know your thoughts…

Lilly Subbotin

The post Isn’t it time to say yes to medical marijuana? appeared first on Silver Magazine.