Opinion written by Jonathan Warnock, CMO Beuhi
Recent studies underscore the remarkable benefits of medical cannabis for older adults, transforming their health and well-being. As legalization spreads and stigma diminishes, it’s time to embrace medical cannabis as a viable treatment option for the elderly.
Improved Quality of Life
The research published in Drugs & Aging reveals that medical cannabis significantly enhances the quality of life for older adults. By alleviating chronic pain, reducing anxiety, and promoting better sleep, medical cannabis offers a holistic approach to managing age-related ailments. These improvements in daily functioning and comfort are crucial for maintaining independence and mental health in older populations.
Safety and Efficacy
While the benefits are substantial, the need for careful dosing and monitoring cannot be overstated. Older adults often take multiple medications, and interactions can occur. Health practitioners must be vigilant in tailoring cannabis use to individual needs, ensuring that the therapeutic benefits outweigh any potential risks.
A Growing Acceptance
The study highlighted in Marijuana Moment further supports the positive impact of medical cannabis on older patients. As more elderly individuals report significant health improvements, the acceptance of cannabis as a mainstream treatment option continues to grow. This shift not only reflects changing societal attitudes but also encourages further research into optimizing cannabis use for therapeutic purposes.
Policy and Education
To fully harness the benefits of medical cannabis, policymakers and healthcare providers must collaborate. Creating comprehensive guidelines, providing education on safe usage, and encouraging open dialogue between patients and doctors are vital steps. This proactive approach will help mitigate risks and maximize benefits, ensuring that elderly patients can safely and effectively use medical cannabis.
Beuhi’s Opinion
The observational study mentioned here could be used to design a blind control study. It shows who is using the product and what the individuals were using the product for (i.e. sleep, pain, etc.) As the US recently changed the classification of cannabis, the opportunity exists to open up trials potentially leveraging Beuhi’s technology as an in-home solution to conduct further studies.
Beuhi’s management team conferred with medical experts who generally agree with the study observing, “Now that the USA changed its categorization of cannabis, the opportunity exists for the medical community and academics to conduct quality trials”. A Beuhi investor shared a personal account, “I am 80 years old and had never tried cannabis before 2023. Now, I take a topical gel cream each morning and evening for pain management. I will occasionally consume cannabis candy in between applications and find it to be extremely helpful. I would agree with the findings that for people over the age of 75, seeking relief through medical cannabis is a safer alternative for managing chronic pain versus being loaded up on potentially habit-forming painkillers.”
With guidance from our medical experts and through our partnership with Acute on Chronic / Plessio Health, The Beuhi app will provide users with an easy connection to the doctors and nurses of Acute on Chronic / Plessio Health for guidance. Beuhi will enable consumers to create functional candy using the recipes and strains recommended; addressing multiple chronic conditions, including pain management. Furthermore, Beuhi’s patent-pending technology ensures consistent dispersion of botanicals and allows users to manage their dosage and intake as prescribed by their medical providers or personal necessities, avoiding the “unknowns” that come from mass-produced functional candy.
The evidence is clear: medical cannabis holds significant potential for improving the health and well-being of older adults. By embracing this treatment option and addressing safety concerns through education and regulation, we can offer a better quality of life to our aging population. It’s time to acknowledge and act on the transformative power of medical cannabis for elderly patients.
