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More than 70% of registered voters in Nebraska support cannabis legalization, according to a poll conducted by the Neilan Strategy Group.
However, Nebraska's politicians seem to be ignoring not only the chronically ill, but also the very people who elected them.
The state government in one form or another, has rejected medical marijuana bills in both 2020 and 2022, despite widespread public support.
As Cancer patients and others struggling with the side effects of chemotherapy await access to medical marijuana, one can only wonder, is the solution right before our eyes?
Appetite and Chronic Illness
In many cases, patients have the ability to fight the cancer and beat the disease. However, due to side effects from medication or chemotherapy, patients are often too sick to eat.
Because the nausea is so overwhelming, patients in many cases, only eat a couple small meals per week.
When a patient is severely malnourished, the body and immune system weaken, which can cause the cancer to overtake the patient, resulting in death.
How Does Cannabis Actually Help?
Marijuana has long been associated with enhancing appetite with the phenomena of "The Munchies" - the uncontrollable urge to eat anything and everything about 1-2 hours after consuming cannabis.
Obviously, one could see how this could be beneficial to Cancer and AIDS patients who rely on nutrients to fight their disease.
Not only can cannabis greatly help with appetite stimulation, but also:
Reducing inflammation and discomfort from chemotherapy
Reducing nausea and vomiting
Alleviating pain
Improving mood, reduce anxiety levels, and supporting mental health during treatment.
CBD & THC-A
Contrary to popular belief, Delta-9 THC more commonly known as “Medical Marijuana", does not have to be legal for chronically ill patients to use the medicine for their condition.
Currently legal in Nebraska are 2 cannabinoids similar to traditional marijuana,
CBD & THC-A:
In less severe cases or for patients that don't want to feel "high", CBD is the go-to.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis plants that is often used for its potential health benefits, such as reducing pain, anxiety, and inflammation.
Unlike THC, another compound in cannabis, CBD does not cause a "high."
THC-A is a compound found in raw cannabis plants and when heated under a flame, converts to Delta-9 THC - real medical marijuana that is highly psychoactive.
After the conversion to Delta-9, experts believe it is potent enough to fight against the horrific symptoms of Cancer and AIDS.
Conclusion:
Despite the overwhelming public support, Nebraska's politicians continue to overlook the needs of the chronically ill and their own constituents. While "Medical Marijuana" remains illegal in Nebraska and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future, patients still have access to CBD and THC-A, two cannabinoids with therapeutic and psychoactive potential.
The persistent refusal to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska raises critical questions about the state's commitment to its citizens' well-being. As patients await access to this crucial treatment, it becomes increasingly apparent that a viable solution might already be within reach.
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