Fifteen states plus the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana. Overall, marijuana is federally illegal, so there must be a sufficient reason for it to be legal for medical usage. In reality, medical marijuana helps significantly with numerous diseases and symptoms.

1. Crohns Disease – Various studies have shown promising results for medicinal marijuana alleviating the symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s. Marijuana contains cannabinoids which activate a receptor known as CB2 – this is thought to decrease inflammation in the GI tract along with reducing pain and swelling.

2. Chronic Pain – Overall chronic pain makes up the largest single medical marijuana use. Marijuana blocks the pain pathways high up in the central nervous system, but through a neurochemical pathway that is a different signaling system than opiate medications. So marijuana and opiates may act as complementary pain medications by acting in 2 different ways.

3. Severe Nausea – Nausea and vomiting prevention represents the longest standing use for medicinal marijuana. It works well for cancer chemotherapy or radiation therapy nausea. Utilizing marijuana for this nausea and potentially wasting weight loss can produce significant results. Patients may be able to gain 40 to 50 pounds.

4. Severe Muscle Spasms – There are traditional medications for muscle spasms, however, those may cause drowsiness or weakness. Patients have found significant relief by using medical marijuana for the relief of muscle spasms.

5. Cancer – Medical marijuana assist cancer patients in five ways. Nausea is reduced, vomiting is suppressed, and appetite is increased, pain relief occurs, and anxiety is calmed.

6. Glaucoma – Research has not shown us exactly how cannabinoids reduce Intraocular pressure. They work at reducing Intra-ocular pressure for about 4 hours.

7. Cachexia or wasting syndrome – Over 50% of cancer sufferers may have a dramatic weight loss of lean body mass. This can appear as cachexia, or wasting – both terms are used. AIDS victims may end up with this problem as well. With THC, people could gain up to 40 to 50 pounds and in addition, be three times more likely to continue with their anti-retroviral medications.

8. ALS – The cannabinoids of marijuana can protect against glutamate toxicity. ALS involves excessive glutamate in the serum, brain tissue, and spinal fluid of those suffering. By decreasing the chance of glutamate toxicity, there is a possibility that marijuana may have a neuroprotective effect. Also, patients describe alleviation of pain and spasms, improvement of appetite, and recution of drooling issues.

9. AIDS and HIV – Marijuana stimulates appetite which is critical to patients with chemotherapy patients and also AIDS patients dealing with severe weight loss.

10. Multiple Sclerosis – These patients may find that medical marijuana helps suppress imbalance, tremors, depression, fatigue, and spasticity.

Despite continuing social stigma concerning marijuana, there are legitimate medicinal reasons it needs to be considered. Thankfully, there is a rising trend towards states legalizing its usage for qualified and debilitated patients.

Want to find out more about Medical Marijuana Arizona, then visit Medical Marijuana Certifications site on how to obtain your Arizona Medical Marijuana Card.