The Economics Tutor

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), opioids killed more than 42,000 people in 2016 alone. The opioid epidemic was recently declared a public health emergency in the United States, and agencies at every level of government, are spending large sums of money to combat the problem. Medical marijuana may offer an effective alternative treatment option for patients struggling with addiction. Opioids and Chronic Pain While illegal drugs, like heroin, still account for a significant portion of the opioid problem in America, many people begin their addiction through lawfully prescribed drugs, like Vicodin and Oxycontin. These drugs are frequently used to treat chronic pain. Over time, individuals develop high levels of dependency on these drugs, not only to stave off the pain but also to avoid the painful side effects of withdrawal. Medical marijuana may offer an alternative for those suffering from chronic pain. A study published in the Journal of Pain in 2016 showed a signi...

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological problems in humans, worldwide. In the United States, about one percent of all people will experience an epileptic seizure, and one out of every 26 diagnosed with epilepsy, will suffer from repeated seizures. While children and senior citizens are most at risk from this condition, it can begin at any age. Recent medical studies have indicated that medical marijuana may be effective at helping reduce the frequency of seizures. What Have Studies Shown About the Effects of Marijuana on Epilepsy? While research has been limited, due to restrictive federal drug laws, recent studies have shown that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound found in medical marijuana, can indeed help prevent seizures. In a study conducted by researchers from the Ohio State University, Individuals with LGS, a particularly severe form of epilepsy, were given CBD every day for 14 weeks. The frequency of epileptic seizures in study patients dropped by more tha...

In 2016, voters in Florida approved “Amendment 2” with 71.3 percent of voters in favor of legalizing medical marijuana. The amendment opened the door for people in Florida afflicted with a wide variety of qualifying conditions, from chronic pain to epilepsy, to receive treatment with medical marijuana and other cannabis-derived medication. What Are the Requirements for a Medical Marijuana Card in Florida? Florida law imposes a number of minimum requirements for individuals seeking a medical marijuana card. First, an individual must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the State of Florida. Individuals can prove residency with a Florida driver’s license/ID card, or an out-of-state ID, with a recent utility bill or bank statement showing a Florida address. Patients must have medical records evidencing a diagnosis from a licensed physician of a qualifying medical condition . A patient must bring these required documents to their medical evaluation. At the evaluation, a doctor ...