The great potential of Medical Cannabis
Last week marked a special anniversary.
The use and sale of cannabis in Canada became legal on Oct. 17, 2018, paving the way for pain management studies. In the past few years, researchers have discovered that medical cannabis can be a vital complement to cancer therapies.
Lynda Balneaves, associate dean of the college of nursing at the University of Manitoba, is an enthusiastic advocate of the drug’s therapeutic uses. Despite her many responsibilities, she has made it her mission to educate health professionals and Winnipeggers about its benefits and risks.
While the drug is a proven pain reliever with no major side effects, she cautions that those with heart or blood pressure problems should be wary. However, it is a boon for those who suffer from migraines, anxiety, insomnia and neuropathy. Balneaves notes that the American Society of Clinical Oncology, which publishes guidelines every year, says that cancer patients can also benefit from therapeutic cannabis use.
Lynda Balneaves, associate dean of nursing at the U of M, speaks to many Winnipeg groups about the possible therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis usage.
She believes it’s important to share the results of national surveys and medical information about medical cannabis.
“It’s a public safety issue,” she said while recently speaking to a group of snowbirds (and reminding them that medical cannabis is not legal in many American states).
Balneaves has made presentations to several registered nursing associations and shared evidence-based information with members of the Seven Oaks Hospital’s Wellness Centre. She’s spoken at the Pan Am Clinic, met with retirees at the Canadian Wheat Board and made a speech at the legislature which focused on nursing standards. Her presentation at CancerCare Manitoba centred on the drug’s varied medical use.
Balneaves clearly enjoys her role as a speaker and encourages audiences to participate in the question-and-answer period. She believes there is a growing interest in the use of medical cannabis. Millions of people have been using the drug since it was made legal in 2018. Many more would like to use it to alleviate pain, especially those who suffer side effects from pills or shots. However, they hesitate because of long-held stigmas around cannabis use. People won’t question their doctors, she said, because many medical practitioners still sit on the fence, waiting for more tests.
Balneaves revealed that the research program at her facility is focused on using cannabis with complimentary therapies in cancer treatment. Its effect on osteoarthritis patients and its ability to shrink tumours, in combination with other medications, are also being studied. The future may yet hold many surprises.
