“ Time Wounds but All Can Heal ”
One of the most common reasons that the elderly turn to medical cannabis is pain management . As we age , the body becomes more prone to pain and inflammation , and conventional medications often fail to provide sufficient relief . Cannabis has been found to be an effective pain reliever , particularly when used in conjunction with conventional medicines . Studies have also found that cannabis may improve sleep quality in the elderly , which can be very beneficial in reducing pain and inflammation .
Another important benefit of medical cannabis for the elderly is the potential to reduce the use and dependence on possibly dangerous medications . Think of your grandparents ’ medicine cabinet and imagine the drug interactions possible there and then consider the safety and risk factors of cannabis . Cannabis does not have the same risks associated with many medications used to treat geriatric issues , such as opioids and benzodiazepines . In some cases , cannabis can even replace these medications entirely , providing an all-natural option that is significantly safer .
Finally , medical cannabis can help to reduce the risk of falls in the elderly population . Falls are a common problem in older people , and the risk of falls increases with age . Cannabis has been found to have a calming effect , reducing anxiety , which can help to reduce the risk of falls . In addition , whenever I speak to my elders considering cannabis , I always recommend that they use cannabis to address pain well enough so they can begin exercising ( preferably in groups ) again , which hits two positive points for elders — regular exercise and social interaction .
The elderly veteran community is particularly well-suited to benefit from medical cannabis . The VA and Veteran Service Organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars ( VFW ) and the American Legion ( both founded in Kansas City after the First World War ), should take a leadership role in helping veterans make this transition . They can do this by educating themselves on how cannabis can be effectively used as medicine and then educate veterans on how to use cannabis safely and effectively as medicine . This could go a long way to reducing the stigma and increasing mutual understanding of how this plant can be used to address the issues that arise from a veterans ’ service and those due to aging .
It is clear that medical cannabis can provide numerous benefits for the elderly veteran population , and the potential risks can be minimized through proper education and responsible use . The elderly veteran community should not be held back from utilizing medical cannabis due to the fear of potential risks . Instead , it should be encouraged to explore the potential benefits this plant can provide .
Todd Scattini is a 27-year veteran LTC , U . S . Army ( Ret .). A West Point graduate , Scattini commanded troops at the platoon and company level , and served as a military diplomat and Defense Attaché in numerous countries . He deployed twice to Afghanistan , serving as a senior advisor to the coalition commander . He has been an activist pushing for medical cannabis access for veterans across the country , serving in board advisory positions at the Veterans Cannabis Project , Kansas Cannabis Coalition , and the Hemp For Victory Foundation . His company , Harvest 360 , is a full-service cannabis consulting firm specializing in helping clients become licensed operators . Todd . scattini @ harvest360 . co .
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