Looking for Alternatives for Chronic Pain?
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN, and Eloise Theisen, NP
Written by Denise Rustning
If you’ve ever dealt with chronic pain, you know that relief can be elusive. Popping an aspirin rarely resolves the issue. However, many long-term prescription medications used to manage chronic pain are problematic, with concerning side effects.
Have you ever thought about giving cannabis a try when dealing with chronic pain? If so, you’re not alone.
Keep reading to learn how increased knowledge about plant-based medicine, along with expanding availability of fully-tested legal products, is making it easier than ever to find a hemp CBD or a higher THC product that can provide targeted relief that fits your lifestyle.
Also, consider watching a replay of our July 2021 Leaf Learning Series event, Exploring Cannabis for Chronic Pain, on the Leaf411 YouTube channel at this link. You’ll instantly access Dr. Dustin Sulak’s discussion on how both cannabinoids and opioids work to reduce pain, along with insights on how cannabis serves as a safe alternative for chronic pain for many people.
Chronic pain is a major health issue in the United States
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that in 2019, over 20% of U.S. adults had chronic pain, and that percentage is increasing among all age groups. Chronic pain encompasses a wide range of conditions, including:
- Cancer pain
- Arthritic pain
- Neuropathic pain
- Migraine headaches
- Post-surgical pain
- Psychogenic pain (associated with psychological factors)
- Post-traumatic pain
Many people try to tough it out, but the documented long-term effects of chronic or persistent pain can be serious, including anxiety, depression, insomnia and chronic fatigue.
Opioid therapy for chronic pain: An imperfect solution
While the causes of chronic pain are far ranging, solutions have been limited until recently, relying heavily on opioid-based pharmaceutical painkillers.
Prescription opioids have therapeutic value in the short term, but may become problematic with long-term use, with side effects including constipation, brain fog and reduced functionality for daily living.
Ironically, in some people, long-term opioid therapy may even lead to increased sensitivity to pain, also called opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH), and increasing tolerance that requires higher doses of opioids for relief.
Long-term and larger doses of opioids also increase the risk of opioid-use disorder (addiction) and overdose, according to a 2015 systematic review of research).
Growing recognition of cannabis as a safe alternative for pain
Despite the ongoing status of cannabis as federally illegal which limits research, an increasing number of medical professionals are taking a fresh look at the plant as a safe alternative for managing chronic pain conditions.
In a recent conversation with one of our Leaf411 supporters, Takoma Wellness Center medical cannabis dispensary owner Stephanie Kahn, BSN, noted that some D.C.-area pain clinics were beginning to recommend medical marijuana to their patients as an alternative to pharmaceutical pain relief.
Within the pain specialist community, practitioners are sharing information on cannabis’s potential for treating chronic pain, but there’s an ongoing education need for both clinicians and patients on how to use cannabis for effective pain relief.
Fortunately, organizations like Radicle Health and Leaf411 are stepping up to collect and share the latest research, with education geared toward consumers and practitioners.
Screenshot from previous Leaf Learning Series, where nurse Natali Murdock, BSN, RN, explains how to use cannabis flower as medicine. Watch the full video at this link.
Patient resources on cannabis and pain
Are you a patient or consumer who’s interested in learning more about using cannabis to manage pain? We suggest starting with our two-part series:
How Cannabis May Help with Different Types of Pain
Finding the Best CBD:THC Ratios and Products for Pain
Our Leaf Learning Series events are also a great resource. Check out the recorded sessions on our Leaf411 YouTube channel.
Of course, we recognize that you will have specific questions, from asking about the cannabis products available where you live to concerns about integrating cannabis into your existing pain management regimen. That’s why our free, RN-staffed hotline exists—to help with your unique situation and questions!
Reach out to us on our free, anonymous hotline at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411), or chat us from our Leaf411.org homepage during hotline hours.
Radicle Health’s Cannabinoid Pharmacology education available at this link. Check out Radicle Health’s YouTube channel for additional webinars and video blogs.
Cannabis education for medical professionals
If you’re a physician, nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist or other provider, you’ve likely had patients ask about using cannabis for chronic pain.
We encourage you to share the Leaf411 hotline information with your patients. We are a patient-centered service dedicated to the safe, effective therapeutic use of cannabis and hemp CBD. Calls to the free nonprofit hotline are answered by a fully-licensed RN who has completed additional professional development in cannabis therapeutics.
As a provider, are you interested in learning more about cannabis so that you can better serve your patients? Our partner Radicle Health offers a range of courses designed for health practitioners, including a two-part series on chronic pain. Visit this link for a full list of available online courses. CEUs are available to California registered nurses.
Our Leaf nurses are ready to answer your cannabis questions
Whether you’re a patient or a provider, our fully-licensed RNs are ready to answer your health-related questions on cannabis and hemp CBD. From newcomer questions like “will CBD get me high?” to concerns around dosing and potential medication interactions, our cannabis-trained nurses are uniquely qualified to help. Best of all, our service is available at no cost to you, reflecting our mission to tackle healthcare inequality by providing balanced education and support on the safe use of cannabis for free to everyone.
Call our free Leaf411 hotline at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) or chat with us from our home page during hotline hours, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. MDT.
The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.
Meeting the Needs of Older Cannabis Users
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning
Most calls to our non-profit, RN-staffed Leaf411 hotline are from people who voluntarily self-identify as over the age of 55. That’s no surprise to us—after all, older adults have CBD and marijuana questions that are typically more medically focused in nature, and they’re looking for guidance they can trust.
Older adults face challenges in finding medically sound cannabis information
Many primary care providers struggle to answer patient questions about the therapeutic benefits of marijuana. (We use the terms “cannabis” and “marijuana” interchangeably when talking about products containing over 0.3% THC which are legally sold in medical and recreational dispensaries.)
Why do clinicians struggle to answer patients’ questions? In part, it’s due to some clinicians’ lack of knowledge on current cannabis research. Also, many clinicians are restricted by their employers from providing guidance on medical marijuana even when they do have the knowledge. These restrictions are primarily due to marijuana’s ongoing status as a prohibited, federally illegal substance, even though it’s legal in most states.
Several of our Leaf hotline nurses come from hospitals and clinics where they experienced these restrictions firsthand. In fact, one of our Leaf nurses, Natalie Murdoch, BSN, RN, shared her perspective in her guest blog last month (check it out at this link).
Doctors and nurses are leading the effort to de-stigmatize cannabis
Despite the challenges posed by cannabis’s federal status and risk-averse healthcare employers, a growing number of healthcare providers are forging ahead, including Natali and our other Leaf nurses.
Trailblazing doctors are also leading the way in shifting attitudes about cannabis in the medical field. Dr. Peter Grinspoon, who will be featured at our free Leaf Learning Series event “Demystifying Cannabis for Older Adults,” on April 22, 2021, is an outspoken advocate on the therapeutic potential of cannabis.
Equally as passionate is our advisory board member Dr. Dave Gordon at 4Pillars Health & Wellness in Denver and our business supporting member Dr. Margaret Gedde at Vibrant Health Clinic in Colorado Springs. Organizations like Americans for Safe Access, American Cannabis Nurses Association, Radicle Health and our own Eloise Theisen, Chief Nursing Officer at Leaf411, are also working hard to change attitudes around cannabis in healthcare.
While we believe the federal government will make progress soon, either decriminalizing or legalizing cannabis, the reality is that you need answers now.
Leaf411 is ready to help with your cannabis and CBD hemp questions
If you’re an older adult with questions about marijuana or CBD hemp, we encourage you to join us at our free Leaf Learning Series event, “Demystifying Cannabis for Older Adults,” on April 22, 2021. Click on this link to sign up.
Also, you can find many answers in our online Leaf Library and blog posts covering common questions and concerns we hear from older adults, including:
- Understanding different types of pain and how cannabis or CBD hemp may help
- Finding the best CBD:THC ratios to manage pain
- Aging and insomnia, and how products with THC may help
- How CBD hemp and cannabis may interact with other medications you’re taking
- Tackling common myths, like the idea that you have to inhale (smoke) cannabis to get its therapeutic benefits
- Breaking down the different types of CBD hemp available today: full spectrum, broad spectrum, distillate and isolate, along with the pros and cons of each type
Don’t forget that our fully-licensed Leaf RNs are ready to help with your questions as well! Our free, anonymous Leaf411 hotline is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to answer your cannabis and CBD hemp questions. Call 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411).
The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.
Don’t Miss Our Next Leaf Learning Series: Demystifying Cannabis for Older Adults
Upcoming Leaf Learning Series event features Dr. Peter Grinspoon, addresses older adults’ questions about cannabis
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning
If you’re over the age of 50 and new to today’s cannabis products, you’re not alone! In fact, older adults currently make up the fastest-growing group of cannabis consumers in the United States according to recent data reported in the New York Times. We’re proud to say that we were mentioned as a resource in that article, too!
Older adults also make up the majority of callers to our Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline. In 2020, 65% of Leaf411 callers were over the age of 55. The need for clinically-sound guidance around cannabis use for older adults has never been greater. That’s why we’re excited to announce our next Leaf Learning Series event:
Demystifying Cannabis for Older Adults on Thursday, April 22 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. MDT. The free event takes place online, and is open to the public. Event registration is available at this link.
Keynote Speaker Dr. Peter Grinspoon Will Lead Candid Conversation on Cannabis and Older Adults
We’re excited to announce that Dr. Peter Grinspoon, Harvard-trained primary care physician and renowned cannabis clinician, will be the keynote speaker at our April 22nd event. Dr. Grinspoon brings 25 years of experience as a cannabis clinician as well as firsthand knowledge of the plant’s therapeutic potential.
Dr. Grinspoon has been featured as a cannabis expert in national media, including on NBC, C-SPAN, Fox, NPR as well as print publications including People Magazine, The Washington Post, USA Today, The Nation, and the Los Angeles Times.
During our event, you’ll have the opportunity to hear directly from Dr. Grinspoon and ask questions, as time allows.
Navigating the New World of Cannabis
Today’s legal cannabis and CBD hemp products are a far cry from what existed before legalization, back when many of today’s older adults first experimented with marijuana.
At Leaf411, we know many of you are navigating a whole new world as you seek out alternatives for pain management, sleep issues, stress or other concerns. Our Leaf Learning session on Demystifying Cannabis for Older Adults is designed to help, no matter where you are on your cannabis journey.
Looking back at yesterday’s cannabis, it’s true that marijuana in the 1960s-1980s was less potent. It also was very poor quality, and was sometimes contaminated with dangerous herbicides like paraquat.
State legalization allowed progress in research and innovation around cannabis cultivation, extraction and manufacturing. Product standards also came online, with states testing for contaminants including pesticides and mold.
In other words, today’s cannabis is different—both stronger and safer—than the products you may have bought on the illicit market 40 years ago.
Not All Cannabis Products Are the Same
Needless to say, today’s expanding range of legal cannabis products have a steeper learning curve when it comes to finding the right product and dose to meet your desired effects. Both new and more experienced users may have misconceptions that can lead to a less-than-ideal outcome.
For example, we once had a caller who was experienced in smoking cannabis flower (bud), but had decided to switch to using cannabis-infused chocolate. The caller assumed edibles would affect him the same way as smoking flower, and inadvertently consumed the entire bar assuming his tolerance to smoking flower would allow him to tolerate a large dose in an edible. Following that experience, he called our hotline for help.
In fact, finding the equivalent dose between flower and edibles can be tricky, because flower lists THC by percentage, and every bud is just a little bit different when it comes to cannabinoid and terpene content. Edibles, on the other hand, list dose by milligrams per serving and are more standardized, though they too can vary due to different batches of raw flower used in the manufacturing process.
Also, when cannabis is ingested, it passes through the digestive system where the liver converts the original Delta-9-THC into 11-hydroxy-THC. The result? A delayed-but-longer-lasting high that many users report feels both stronger and different than the high you get from smoking.
Fortunately for our caller who was switching from flower to edibles, one of our hotline RNs was able to help them dial in their cannabis edible dose moving forward.
We’d Love for You to Join Us for the Leaf Learning Series: Demystifying Cannabis for Older Adults
At Leaf411, our bottom-line goal is that everyone has access to evidenced-based information and guidance on safe cannabis use. That’s why we created the hotline as a nonprofit whose mission is to provide free RN guidance to the public, and why we’re hosting the upcoming Leaf Learning Series event tailored to older adults. It is essential to understand the nuances of the new cannabis market you see today to help you understand what you are truly consuming. Learning events can provide the peace of mind needed to make an informed decision.
Don’t wait until the last minute to sign up! Free registration is open now at: https://hopin.com/events/leaf-learning-series-demystifying-cannabis-for-the-older-adult
The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.
Supporting Our Veterans This November
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning
2020 has been an incredibly challenging year for all of us, including our military Veterans. This November, Leaf411 is putting the spotlight on those who’ve served, celebrating their stories and creating new connections through our virtual Leaf Learning Series: Supporting Veterans event scheduled for Thursday, November 19, from 4-7 pm MST.
We’re also launching a new podcast, Leaf Live, as part of the educational event. Our podcasts will feature Vets sharing their stories and talking about how cannabis helped them manage conditions brought on by their call of duty. Our event will also feature these Vets and the nonprofits they founded to support fellow service members.
Keep reading to learn more about why we’re focusing on Veterans this month, as well as to learn about the nonprofits we’re partnering with for our interactive learning series event.
2020 Has Been a Difficult Year for Our Veterans
Pandemic-related shutdowns and social distancing restrictions changed all our lives this year, but for Veterans the impact has been especially difficult.
Following military duty, many Vets have found purpose by serving as community leaders, speaking publicly about their own hardships and motivating others to overcome challenges and barriers. The majority of these outlets—meetings, presentations and in-person classes—were abruptly shut down in early 2020 as stay-at-home restrictions were quickly enacted in response to the rapidly-spreading virus. While medical experts agree that the restrictions were urgently needed to curb the spread of coronavirus, there was little discussion about how restrictions would impact communities that rely heavily on one another for connection and support.
Even during normal times, Veterans are at increased risk for depression, PTSD, and other mental health concerns when compared to non-military civilians. Concerningly, suicide rates among Veterans also trend higher than the general population. The reasons behind this increased risk of mental health conditions are complex, but the realities of 2020 have only exacerbated the situation.
Veterans Building Community Around Cannabis
The community built around cannabis, along with the therapeutic benefits of the plant itself, have provided a lifeline for many wounded warriors during dark times. Some of these Veterans have even been inspired to form their own nonprofits to help fellow soldiers along the path of learning and healing.
As Leaf411 contemplated how to celebrate Veterans this November, we decided our best approach was to share our platform with others who are fighting for the right of all Vets to safely, legally access cannabis medicine. Our November 19, 2020, event will feature the voices of Veterans, with educational content geared toward your questions, including how cannabis use may impact VA benefits. We’ll also hear from our supporting member Medically Correct about the cannabis research they’re doing in partnership with the VA. Other Leaf411 members will also be presenting information about their products and answering your questions.
Several Veterans organizations will be on hand to share their stories and connect directly with attendees through interactive chats and a dedicated virtual Veterans Lounge. These organizations include:
- CanniMedic.org – CannaMedic.org was founded by Navy Veteran and retired Paramedic Firefighter Stanley Atkins II to bridge the gap between medical cannabis, education and patients who could benefit from cannabis or CBD.
- Balanced Veterans – Balanced Veterans advocates for alternative therapies for Veterans, including cannabis as a safe alternative to opioids and other pharmaceuticals. The organization also recognizes that community, conversation and holistic healing are all part of the path to healing and provides support to Veterans across all these areas. In addition, Balanced Veterans provides financial support to disabled Veterans in Pennsylvania to offset the cost of medical marijuana card certification.
- Veterans for Natural Rights (VNR) – VNR is a Colorado-based nonprofit serving Veterans, their families and friends. The organization is built on the premise that freedom is the birthright of every American. This freedom extends to safely, legally accessing cannabis and psychedelics as research-based treatment options for PTSD, anxiety, chronic pain and other conditions.
- Veterans Ending the Stigma (VETS) – This Ohio-based nonprofit seeks to address various stigmas that are commonly connected to Veterans, from outdated opinions about mental illness and homelessness to misconceptions about cannabis. VETS supports cannabis’s therapeutic potential for PTSD, TBI, chronic pain and other battle-related conditions.
- Helmand Valley Growers Company (HVGC) – HVGC was founded by U.S. Special Operations Veterans who understand the challenges that Veterans face as the result of time spent on the battlefield. They’re partnering with cannabis researchers to develop a Veteran-based protocol and provide evidence of the benefits of medical cannabis as an alternative to habit-forming opioids. HVGC is a fully-licensed cannabis company in the state of California, with products sold in legal dispensaries. Profits support the company’s mission to advance the science around cannabis’s potential therapeutic benefits for Veterans. HVGC also formed a separate nonprofit, Battle Brothers Foundation, to provide personal, medical and financial support to struggling Veterans.
Sign Up for Our Leaf Learning Series Today!
We hope you’re able to join us for our next free Leaf Learning series event. Sign up today at this link: https://hopin.to/events/leaf-learning-series-supporting-veterans
Also, we encourage you to share this information with family members, friends and colleagues who might benefit. While our learning series event is designed for Veterans, it will also include a lot of great educational content geared toward anyone who’s interested in cannabis’s therapeutic potential!
The Leaf411 cannabis nurse hotline provides free, anonymous education and directional support to the general public about the safe use of legal cannabis. We partner with select business members who meet our rigorous standards to extend our education and outreach efforts.
Top Takeaways from the Inaugural Leaf Learning Series
Medically reviewed by Katherine Golden, RN
Written by Denise Rustning
Were you able to join us on Thursday, August 20th, for our first online Leaf Learning Series? If not, don’t worry! We plan to release an archive of the event at a future date. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of this page to find out when the content is available! As a newsletter subscriber, you’ll also be the first to learn about our next session covering all things CBD hemp.
In the meantime, we thought we’d share some of the top cannabis takeaways from our inaugural session.
When it Comes to Cannabis, Everyone is Different
Everyone has an endocannabinoid system—but everyone’s endocannabinoid system is just a little bit different. Leaf411’s Founder and CEO/ED Katherine Golden, RN, and our Advisory Board member Dr. Dave Gordon from 4 Pillars Health & Wellness always recommend starting low and going slow when finding your optimal dose of CBD hemp or marijuana containing higher levels of THC, in part because everyone’s endocannabinoid system is unique. The dose that works best for your friend or partner might not be the best amount of CBD or THC for you.
During the learning session, Dr. Dave also talked about how there’s no one best way to use cannabis. Different product types offer different benefits, depending on your health issues and wellness goals.
Understanding the basics of your endocannabinoid system and how CBD, THC and other cannabinoids interact with this system is a great place to start on your cannabis journey, saving you time and money as you begin exploring the best cannabis options for your health goals. That’s why we focused on Cannabis Therapeutics 101 for this first session!
In a subsequent session during the event, Dr. Dave addressed the therapeutic potential of minor cannabinoids like CBN for sleep, and THC-A as a non-intoxicating alternative to help manage pain and nausea. He also talked about how some peoples’ sensitivity to minuscule amounts of THC might actually be due to either inconsistent product quality or the type of product they’re using—this is a much more common experience with edibles as a result of how THC is metabolized by the liver.
Want to learn more? Keep an eye out for the recorded session, and in the meantime, we encourage you to look through our blog and Leaf Library, which includes useful FAQs.
Of course, you are always welcome to call us at no cost at 844-LEAF411 (844-532-3411) or chat us from the Leaf411.org homepage during our hotline hours.
Cannabis Medicine: Don’t Be Afraid of Inhalation
Dr. Dave and Katherine tackled one of the biggest hesitations many people have with cannabis—smoking and vaping. They discussed how inhalation methods may provide a safe, effective way to use cannabis medicine. Inhalation can be especially effective when seeking immediate relief for breakthrough pain or nausea. Dr. Dave suggested that vaping flower is a good approach, especially if you’re concerned about unwanted ingredients in vape cartridges.
If you are shopping for oil vapes, look for products with limited ingredients, and which don’t contain propylene glycol (PG), polyethylene glycol (PEG), or vitamin E acetate (the identified source of last year’s 2019 vaping-associated lung injuries).
Several of our supporting members have developed cannabis edibles that utilize cutting-edge technology to deliver a delta-9-THC inhalation type experience—check out Quiq’s wide range of products or Wana Brand’s Fact-Acting Gummies as examples of this new type of product.
Cannabis Product Quality Matters
At Leaf411, we know that quality matters. Product quality and safety are always in the front of our minds when we review potential members.
During our Leaf Learning Series, we were excited to provide a platform for many of our members to talk about their ingredient sourcing and product manufacturing processes. Attendees chatted with company representatives, including founders and CEOs, during live sessions and in the vendor expo hall.
Nature’s Gift Shop, an incredible family-owned dispensary in West Pueblo, and Lightshade Dispensary, with locations throughout the Denver metro area, both shared dispensary tours along with live Q&A, with participants asking questions about the different products they offer. Both dispensaries are dedicated to making every visit a positive experience by meeting consumers where they’re at, whether they’re brand new to cannabis or an experienced user. By the way, the next time you visit Nature’s Gift Shop, be sure to check out their Willie Nelson sculpture that was made by a local artist!
Robbie Wroblewski also provided an incredibly fun and interactive virtual tour of Seed & Smith’s Growhouse, answering a wide range of audience questions. While we missed smelling the extract room (a feature of their pre-COVID in-person tours), we appreciated the behind-the-scenes look at how cannabis is cultivated.
All of this content will be available on-demand soon. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter for updates!
Learning From Top Cannabis Experts
Remember how we said that everyone’s endocannabinoid system is unique? Cannabis retailers and manufacturers understand that consumers have different health goals, tolerances and product preferences as well!
Many of our supporting members employ food engineers, chemists and other industry experts to develop reliable, high-bioavailability cannabis products. If you weren’t able to attend the August 20th session, we hope you’ll find time to join us in the future, because you’ll be amazed by both our supporting members’ professional backgrounds and the science that they’re bringing to their product development!
A Special Thank You to CannOccasions
We also want to extend special recognition to the amazing CannOccasions team who managed the registration, online event platform and all logistics. If you’re seeking a professional cannabis events management company for your virtual or IRL event, we highly recommend CannOccassions!
Looking Forward to Our Next Leaf Learning Event: All About CBD
Our next Leaf Learning event will be all about CBD! We’ll cover the differences between full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and isolate forms of CBD hemp, and provide education to help you find the right CBD for your health goals.
We also know that many people, including first responders and healthcare workers, are concerned about whether CBD hemp can trigger positive workplace drug test results, despite the fact that it’s a non-intoxicating substance. Join us during our next Leaf Learning event to hear answers to these concerns and more.
We’re still in the process of scheduling our CBD hemp-focused Leaf Learning event. Sign up for our Leaf411 newsletter below to stay in the loop as we release more registration details!