Conditions Treated

Conditions Treated With Medical Marijuana

Michigan Medical Marihuana Act of 2008 (medical marijuana)

The Michigan Medical Marijuana Act defines a “qualifying patient” as: a person who has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition.

Specific Medical Conditions listed in Statute:

“Debilitating medical conditions” [Section 3 (a) (1)] means any of the following conditions and/or their treatments:

* Cancer
* Glaucoma
* Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus
* Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
* Hepatitis C
* Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS – Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
* Crohn’s disease
* Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
* Nail patella

General diseases, medical conditions, and treatment not listed but authorized in Statute:

A patient can also qualify under the statute [Section 3 (a) (2)] if he/she experiences any chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition, or it’s treatment, which produces one or more of the following symptoms or side effects:

* cachexia or wasting syndrome;
* severe and chronic pain;
* nausea;
* seizures, including but not limited to those characteristic of epilepsy;
* severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of multiple sclerosis

Chronic Conditions Treated with Medicinal Marijuana

Cancer, Glaucoma, Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome:

Cannabis has been found to help cancer patients with pain and nausea, and recent research indicates it has tumor-reducing and anti-carcinogenic properties as well. It has proven highly effective at controlling the nausea associated with chemotherapy, and its appetite stimulation properties help combat Wasting Syndrome.  Cannabis can also help control the pain associated with some cancers, as well as that resulting from radiation and chemotherapy treatment.   In a study designed to examine the long term effects of smoked cannabis, researchers reviewed the overall health of patients who have used medical marijuana legally under federal law for 11-27 years. Results demonstrated clinical effectiveness in treating glaucoma, chronic musculoskeletal pain, spasm and nausea, and spasticity of multiple sclerosis.

Suggested Strains for Cancer:

Master Kush Hydro, Organic Master Kush, Hindu Kush, Blue Widow, Blue Dream, Blueberry, Blackberry, Afghan Kush, Giggle Kush, Lavender, Cheese, Bubble Hash, Bubba Cheese, Bubblicious, Bubblegum, Free Leonard, Headband, Mazar, Husky Buddz, White Widow, White Rhino, White Russian, Erkle Kush, Sour Diesel, Sweet and Sour Diesel, BCN Diesel, Detroit Sour Diesel, Organic Sour Diesel, Northern Lights, Northern Lights #5, Skunk #1, OG Kush, Organic Chem Dawg D, Organic Jack Herer, Purple Wreck, cannabis oils/lotions, cannabis capsules, medibles, and tinctures.

Suggested Strains for Glaucoma:

Organic Chem Dawg D, OG Kush, Big Bud, Sour Diesel, Sweet and Sour Diesel, BCN Diesel, Detroit Sour Diesel, Organic Sour Diesel, Northern Lights, Northern Lights #5, Organic Jack Herer, Lavender, Purps, Purple Wreck, Purple Kush, Hash Plant Haze, medibles, tinctures.

AIDS/HIV, Hepatitis C:

The effectiveness of cannabis for treating symptoms related to HIV/AIDS is widely recognized.  Its value as an anti-emetic (an agent that prevents or arrests vomiting) and analgesic has been proven in numerous studies and has been recognized by several comprehensive, government-sponsored reviews, including those conducted by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the U.K. House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, the Australian National Task Force on Cannabis, and others. The IOM concluded, “For patients such as those with AIDS or who are undergoing chemotherapy and who suffer simultaneously from severe pain, nausea, and appetite loss, cannabinoid drugs might offer broad-spectrum relief not found in any other single medication.”

Suggested Strains for Aids:

G-13, Ak-47, Bubba Cheese, Bubblicious, Cinderella 99, Blackberry, Lemonberry, Sour Strawberry Cough, Big Perm, Burmese, Lemon Skunk, Skunk #1, Afghan Kush, Purple Kush, medibles, tinctures.

Suggested Strains for HIV:

Free Leonard, Bubble Hash, Bubblicious, Lavender, Blueberry, Royal Blue, Blue Widow, Blueberry Skunk, Big Bud, medibles, tinctures.

ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease):

“We have now found that the cannabinoids, the active ingredients in medical marijuana, work remarkably well in controlling the clinical symptoms of ALS.  Even more exciting is that we are now discovering that the cannabinoids actually protect nerve cells and may prolong the life of patients with ALS.”

- Gregory Carter, M.D., clinical professor of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, and co-director, Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)/Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Center (testimony submitted to Illinois Senate Public Health Committee, March 2007)

Suggested Strains for ALS:

Blackberry, White Rhino, White Russian, White Widow, Albino Rhino, Cheese, Bubblegum, Burmese, AK-47, C+, Super Lemon Haze, Bubble Hash, Aurora Indica, Hindu Kush, Afghan Kush, Organic Jack Herer, Royal Blue, Blueberry, Blue Widow, Strawberry Blue, Lavender, Casey Jones, Free Leonard, Cinderella 99, Mazar, Headband, medibles, cannabis lotions/oils, and tinctures.

Movement Disorders, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and Seizures, including but not limited to those characteristic of Epilepsy:

Muscular spasticity is a common condition, affecting millions of people in the United States. It afflicts individuals who have suffered strokes, as well as those with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, paraplegia, quadriplegia, and spinal cord injuries. Conventional medical therapy offers little to address spasticity problems. Phenobarbital and diazepam (Valium) are commonly prescribed, but they rarely provide complete relief, and many patients develop a tolerance, become addicted, or complain of heavy sedation. These drugs also cause weakness, drowsiness, and other side effects that patients often find intolerable.

Cannabis has enormous potential for protecting the brain and central nervous system from the damage that leads to various movement disorders. Researchers have also found that cannabinoids can alleviate the damage caused by strokes, as well as brain trauma, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis. More than 100 research articles have been published on how cannabinoids act as neuroprotective agents to slow the progression of such neurodegenerative diseases as Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s and particularly Parkinson’s, which affects more than 52% of people over the age of 85.  The therapeutic use of cannabis for treating muscle problems and movement disorders has been known to western medicine for nearly two centuries. In reference to the plant’s muscle relaxant and anti-convulsing properties, in 1839 Dr. William B. O’Shaughnessy wrote that doctors had “gained an anti-convulsive remedy of the greatest value.”

Suggested Strains for Multiple Sclerosis and Movement Disorders:

Blackberry, Blueberry, Lemonberry, Sour Strawberry Cough, Lavender, Hindu Kush, Afghan Kush, Purple Kush, Erkle Kush, OG Kush, Giggle Kush, Burmese Kush, C+, Cheese, Free Leonard, Mazar, Northern Lights, Organic Chem Dawg D, cannabis oils/lotions, tinctures, medibles, and cannabis capsules.

Crohn’s Disease (Ulcerative Colitis):

The most common symptoms of Crohn’s Disease are pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, and weight loss. There may also be rectal bleeding and fever. The most common complications of Crohn’s Disease are blockage of the intestine and ulceration that breaks through into surrounding tissues. Surgery is sometimes required.

The symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and rectal bleeding. Some people may be very tired and have weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and loss of body fluids and nutrients. Joint pain, liver problems, and redness and swelling of the eyes can also occur. Hospitalization and surgery are sometimes needed.

Suggested Strains for Crohn’s Disease:

Blackberry, Lemonberry, Blueberry, Royal Blue, Blue Widow, Super Silver Haze, Super Lemon Haze, Bubble Hash, G-13, Organic Chem Dawg D, Orange Crush, Orange Kush, medibles, tinctures, cannabis capsules.

Gastro-Intestinal Disorders:

The effectiveness of cannabis for treating symptoms related to gastrointestinal disorders is widely recognized. Its value as an anti-emetic and analgesic has been proven in numerous studies and has been acknowledged by several comprehensive, government-sponsored reviews, including those conducted by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), the U.K. House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, the Australian National Task Force on Cannabis, and others. The IOM concluded, “For patients . . . who suffer simultaneously from severe pain, nausea, and appetite loss, cannabinoid drugs might offer broad-spectrum relief not found in any other single medication.”

The most common gastrointestinal disorders-Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease-affect millions of people. The disorders are different, but each causes a great deal of discomfort and distress and both can be disabling. Painful cramping, chronic diarrhea or constipation, nausea, and inflammation of the intestines are all symptoms of these GI disorders that can be alleviated by cannabis.

Suggested Strains for Gastro-Intestinal Disorders:

Headband, White Russian, White Widow, Blue Widow, White Rhino, Trainwreck, Old School Sensimilla, Purple Wreck, Purple Kush, Purps, Master Kush Hydro, Organic Master Kush, Free Leonard, Shishkaberry, Skunk #1, medibles, cannabis capsules.

Chronic and Severe Pain, and Nail Patella:

Cannabis can serve at least two important roles in safe, effective pain management. It can provide relief from the pain itself (either alone or in combination with other analgesics), and it can control the nausea associated with taking opioid drugs, as well as the nausea, vomiting and dizziness that often accompany severe, prolonged pain.

Opioid therapy is often an effective treatment for severe pain, but all opiates have the potential to induce nausea. The intensity and duration of this nausea can cause enormous discomfort and additional suffering and lead to malnourishment, anorexia, wasting, and a severe decline in a patient’s health. Some patients find the nausea so intolerable that they are inclined to discontinue the primary pain treatment, rather than endure the nausea. Inhaled cannabis provides almost immediate relief for this with significantly fewer adverse effects than orally ingested Marinol. Inhalation allows the active compounds in cannabis to be absorbed into the blood stream with greater speed and efficiency. It is for this reason that inhalation is an increasingly common, and often preferable, route of administration for many medications. Cannabis may also be more effective than Marinol because it contains many more cannabinoids than just the THC that is Marinol’s active ingredient. The additional cannabinoids may well have additional and complementary antiemetic qualities. They have been conclusively shown to have better pain-control properties when taken in combination than THC alone.

Suggested Strains for Chronic and Severe Pain, and Nail Patella:

Master Kush Hydro, Organic Master Kush, Hindu Kush, Burmese, Blue Hash, Afghan Kush, Albino Rhino, Ak-47, Aurora Indica, BC Mango, BCN Diesel, Sour Diesel, Sweet and Sour Diesel, Detroit Sour Diesel, Organic Sour Diesel, Big Bud, Big Perm, Blackberry, Blueberry, Blueberry Skunk, Blue Widow, Bubba Cheese, Bubba Kush, Bubblegum, Bubblicious, Critical Mass, C+, Cinderella 99, Erkle Kush, Free Leonard, Giggle Kush, Hash Plant Haze, Headband, Hindu Kush, K-Train, Lavender, Lemon Haze, Lemon Skunk, Super Lemon Haze, Lemonberry, Maui, Mazar, Mental Floss, Northern Lights, Northern-Lights #5, OG Kush, Old School Sensimilla, Orange Crush, Orange Kush, Organic Chem Dawg D, Organic Jack Herer, Organic Purple Wreck, Panama Lights, Peanut Sativa, Perma Frost, Purple Kush, Purple Wreck, Purps, Royal Blue, Shishkaberry, Skunk #1, Sour Strawberry Cough, Stinky Pete, Strawberry Blue, Sweet Island Skunk, Trainwreck, White Rhino, White Russian, White Widow, Bubble Hash, medibles, tinctures, cannabis capsules, cannabis oils/lotions.

Summary

You do not need to have one of the Specific Medical Conditions listed in Statute to be considered a qualified medical marijuana patient.

Visit the Michigan Legislature website to read the complete Michigan Medical Marihuana Act.

It’s the opinion of some legal scholars that the Affirmative Defense provides greater patient protection than the Act itself. Contact QualifyingPatient.com for legal interpretations.