New Jersey is one of the countries accommodating medical cannabis. However, the medication is limited to a particular group of individuals. All people taking the drugs have to be above 21 years. Apart from that, they also need a medical marijuanas card NJ issued by the state. Patients who own a card are entitled to purchase medical marijuana from authorized dispensaries. 

However, you need to be aware that the list of ailments for which a doctor can prescribe medical marijuana is not very long. Here are a few conditions treated using Medical Cannabis which is also a qualification for a medical marijuana card.

Anxiety

Cannabis contains cannabinoids within them and plays a role in influencing neurotransmitters located in the body. For example, the CB1 receptors are responsible for the body’s response to cannabis. The CB1 receptors are present in the brain and spinal cord. They cause various effects on the body, such as reducing pain, treating nausea and vomiting, stimulating appetite, reducing intraocular pressure (pressure within the eye), etc. The CB2 receptors, on the other hand, play a crucial role in the immune system by fighting off diseases such as cancer or arthritis. 

The cannabinoids in marijuana are bound to these receptors, which result in our bodies’ reactions to them. In addition, these cannabinoids interact with neurotransmitters that affect our moods. For example, Tetrahydrocannabinol THC reduces anxiety by interacting with GABA-A receptor sites within the brain which can significantly reduce anxiety levels. 

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Cannabis has come out to be a possible solution to alleviating ALS symptoms. The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis help reduce the pain, spasticity, and muscle cramping that can be present in patients with ALS.

In addition, cannabis has improved sleep patterns that are disturbed in ALS patients. Cannabis also suppresses nausea and vomiting associated with ALS. The improvements in the quality of life seen in ALS patients when they use cannabis as a treatment can attribute to its anti-inflammatory properties, which help relieve pain and muscle spasms caused by the disease.

Cannabis effectively treats amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In addition, other neurodegenerative conditions are treated by cannabis, such as Huntington’s sickness, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, etc. The cannabis compounds have neuroprotective properties that help protect neurons against degeneration-related ailments like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, initiated by swelling in brain cells.

Cancer

Human and animal models have been vital in facilitating marijuana research against cancer symptoms. The anti-neoplastic properties of cannabis are primarily due to the cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which are both non-psychoactive. Researchers have found both compounds to reduce tumor growth in common cancers such as breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, skin, and brain.

In a 2010 study published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, researchers found that CBD significantly inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. The researchers performed the study in mice with human breast cancer cells in vivo. In a 2011 study published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, researchers found that THC reduced tumor growth, tumor number, and size and increased apoptosis or programmed cell death in lung cancer cells.

Researchers also reported that THC selectively targeted cancer cells by inducing autophagy/apoptosis via CB1 receptor activation resulting in decreased pro-inflammation of cytokines IL-8 and IL-6. Thus, a separate study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation – Anandamide inhibited human breast cancer cell proliferation at low nanomolar concentrations by inhibiting DNA synthesis via CB1 receptor activation – showed that inhibiting FAAH activity with arachidonic fluorophosphate (a FAAH inhibitor) enhanced the effect. Researchers also found that anandamide levels were significantly lower in patients with brain tumors than in healthy control subjects. The anandamide levels were also negatively correlated with tumor volume.

Migraines

The Association of Migraine Disorders reports have outrightly proposed medical cannabis in treating migraines. Cannabis eases headaches by approximately 50% in patients who use cannabis products. According to studies and research, marijuana is the best option for treating migraines. 

Marijuana consumers are less to have migraines than non-marijuana users. This is because the active ingredient in cannabis reduces the frequency of migraine headaches in adults and children. In addition to that, consuming products that contain THC reduces nausea, vomiting, and pain associated with migraine headaches. As a result, cannabis helps relieve pain and reduce the brain inflammation caused by migraines. 

Migraine sufferers may have lower levels of anandamide, a naturally occurring chemical in your body that binds cannabinoid receptors in your brain and nervous system. Through these receptors, anandamide causes changes in your body that help protect it from pain or stress—similar to how cannabinoids found in marijuana work.

New Jersey and Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions: Final Thoughts

Some of the other ailments that may qualify you for a medical marijuana card in New Jersey include:

• PTSD
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Crohn’s Disease
• Muscular Dystrophy
• HIV/AIDS

We hope this information helped you better understand medical marijuana in New Jersey. Remember to discuss your options with your doctor and register for a card before using medical cannabis for your health condition.