On April 14, 2014, Governor Martin O’Malley signed two bills to finally provide qualifying patients with safe access to medical marijuana in Maryland . Last November, the medical marijuana commission set license fees for growers and dispensaries while developing rules for Maryland patients to receive medical marijuana. Once the regulations are approved, Maryland patients suffering from certain diseases will have access to legalized medical marijuana as part of their treatment.
Severe, debilitating or chronic pain
Chronic pain is among the list of conditions qualifying for treatment through medical marijuana in Maryland. Defined as pain lasting longer than six months, chronic pain is a condition in which signals of pain remain active in the nervous system. Common sources of chronic pain include headaches, joint pain, pain from injury and backaches. However, pain targeting certain body parts such as the shoulders and pelvis can also result in chronic pain. For many patients, chronic pain takes an emotional toll, as it can result in anxiety, stress, depression and anger.
Crohn’s disease
A type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Even though symptoms of Crohn’s disease vary by patient, symptoms often include persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal cramps, and fever. Many people who suffer from Crohn’s disease experience diminished appetite and weight loss. In turn, this can result in low energy and fatigue.
Cancer
Research shows medicinal marijuana can help relieve pain, control nausea and vomiting and stimulate appetite in cancer patients. In addition, THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, can decrease pressure within the eyes, which can help reduce the severity of glaucoma. Some supporters of cannabis for cancer treatment claim that marijuana contains anti-bacterial properties, which can slow tumor growth and enlarge the airways.
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information between the brain and the rest of the body. Medical marijuana in Maryland can help relieve symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis, including muscle stiffness, muscle spans, and overactive bladder.