Survey data collected from members of the Berkeley Patients Group, one of California's most prominent medical marijuana collectives, indicates that most patients reduce their use of prescription medications following their initiation of cannabis therapy. The anonymous survey found that 66% of respondents said that they consumed cannabis as a prescription drug substitute. Many said they preferred cannabis because it caused fewer side effects than conventional medications.
"Instead of having a pain medication, an antianxiety medication, and a sleep medication, they are able to just use cannabis, and that controls all of those symptoms," said Dr. Amanda Reiman, director of research and social services at the Berkeley center.
Some 70% of respondents said that they used cannabis to treat a chronic condition, such as diabetes or arthritis. Just over half said they used it for pain relief, including arthritis, migraines, and accident-related injuries. (The Weed Blog, Nov. 3; Internal Medicine News, Oct. 31)
Graphic by Herbal Remedies
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