Treatments

In Colorado, cannabis is a state-legal alternative to prescription medication. Licensed physicians are permitted to evaluate and recommend Medical Marijuana, also known as MMJ, to qualifying patients suffering from a debilitating condition. The cannabis genus is classified into two major subspecies, commonly known as sativa and indica. The sativa variety produces an uplifting, cerebral, and energetic effect, whereas the indica variety produces a calming, full-body, sedative effect. Since MMJ was legalized in 2001, experienced professionals have selectively bred thousands of strains, for target levels of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are the active components that occur naturally in the cannabis plant, such as THC and CBD. CBD is highly regarded as the most medicinally beneficial cannabinoid, whereas THC is the most well known of the two.

Cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, cachexia, persistent muscle spasms, seizures, severe nausea, and severe pain are currently listed as approved debilitating conditions.

Since the Medical Marijuana Registry Program began in 2001, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has received petitions to add medical conditions to the list of conditions for which physicians may recommend medical marijuana. Currently, these conditions were not approved to be included in the list of debilitating medical conditions provided for in the Colorado constitution: asthma, atherosclerosis , bi-polar disorder, chron’s disease, diabetes mellitus (types 1 and 2), diabetic retinopathy, hepatitis C, hypertension, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), opiod dependence, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety, clinical depression, and tourette’s syndrome. If you would like to petition to add debilitating conditions, please click here.