Just a few years ago, cannabis was associated with the stereotypical stoner. Nowadays, as the medical benefits are surfacing, the number of users is growing. A significant portion of users are children. In fact, many parents in non-legal medical cannabis states are actually packing up and moving to weed-friendly locations where they can treat their young ones with Cannabidiol (CBD) oil.
Believe it or not, cannabis is safe and natural plant that has been proven to treat epilepsy, pain and various other illnesses/conditions that plague humankind. Although studies are ongoing to determine what exactly CBD can treat, there is medical proof that this cannabinoid can be administered to young children without harmful implications.
What is medical cannabis?
Also known as medical marijuana, medical cannabis is a natural herb containing cannabinoids. These medicinal chemicals are being extracted from the plant in oil form to treat an endless array of ailments and disorders. Composed mostly of CBD, medical cannabis may contain small amounts of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Although this psychoactive chemical can be mind-altering, it will not harm your child when used in suitable dosages.
While medical cannabis may not have been recognized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the unprocessed marijuana plant has been scientifically studied to expose its widespread health benefits.
Why should I give medical cannabis to my child?
Medical cannabis for children is, for the most part, non-psychoactive and can be administered to your child discretely from home. The effects of administering the oil orally are rapid, allowing you to medicate your child quickly and prevent dangerous seizures from causing serious damage to the brain. It is simple to get a medical cannabis recommendation from your Doctor, who will provide you with a written recommendation that can be presented inside a dispensary. Medical cannabis is easily accessible, due to it being made widely available at medical cannabis dispensaries. What’s more, there is an endless range of strains and products to choose from.
Are children using medical cannabis?
Yes, and they are making headlines for it. One such child is Charlotte Figi. The Dravet Syndrome sufferer was administered with a specific strain of cannabis, known as Charlotte’s Web, to cure her of her epileptic seizures.
The results were astounding, with her grand mal seizures reducing from 300 per week to almost nothing. Doctor’s were startled to discover her blood tests and scans were normal after receiving the CBD oil, which is now widely sold on the medical cannabis market.
Some other children who have benefited from medical cannabis include Mieko-Hester Perez, who was relieved of the symptoms of autism, and Jack Ziolkowski, who experienced a reduction in seizures after using cannabis oil.
What health problems can medical cannabis relieve child my child of?
Aside from epilepsy and the seizures caused by this medical condition, medical cannabis is also being prescribed to children for treatment of the following health problems:
- Crohn’s Disease – Diarrhea, weight loss and pain caused by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can be reduced when medical cannabis is used.
- Acute and Chronic Pain – More people are using cannabis for acute and chronic pain than ever before. The CBD cannabinoid possesses an analgesic effect and when it binds to endocannabinoid receptors, pain can be relieved (in some cases) almost instantly.
- Bone and Joint Inflammation – Children can suffer from arthritis, too. Medical cannabis is an natural anti-inflammatory, making it a suitable solution for children with bone and joint inflammation caused by arthritis.
- Sleep Disorders – Insomnia may arise in children who struggle to get at least eight hours of rest per night. High-THC strains will induce a good night’s sleep. Consider microdosing with high-THC strains to prevent too much psychoactivity.
- Glaucoma – Pressure on the optic nerve may result in vision loss. Using medical cannabis supplements and extracts will preserve the nerves and treat glaucoma. THC proves extremely beneficial for this purpose.
Tips for Starting Your Child Safely on Cannabis
There are a few things to think about before giving your child medical cannabis. First things first, create a treatment plan and monitor what happens. Making notes will be very useful for assessing your child’s symptoms, so that you can discover whether or not your offspring reacted well to a particular strain of weed. Educate yourself about the options when it comes to finding the right cannabis strain, e.g. high-CBD, low-THC strains, and always talk to other parents. If anything, this will provide you with peace of mind. Consulting with a medical professional is also recommended, as is testing your oils for potency.
Finding a Supplier of Medical-Grade CBD Oil
Not sure where to look for medical-grade CBD oil? Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of buying from just any old supplier, simply because their prices are low. This could be a very big mistake if the content of the oil is not what it says on the bottle. Only the highest-quality buds will be used to create the oils you see inside licensed dispensaries in San Francisco.
What’s more, the oils will have been lab-tested for potency, so you can feel confident that your child is receiving exactly their prescribed dose. How to find one, you ask? Use the web to your advantage, read reviews and always visit the store in-person prior to buying CBD oil for children.