Medical marijuana and aphasia – Here’s what we know

As of 2022, 39 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medical use. Marijuana’s proven effectiveness in assisting patients with various ailments has led the vast majority of states to allow their citizens to partake in the proven benefits of marijuana.

While the number of states allowing marijuana for medical use is high and growing, at the federal level it still remains a Schedule I drug. According to the DEA, a Schedule I drug, substance, or chemical is defined as any medication that currently does not have one have recognized medical uses and have a high potential for abuse. This means that the majority of states have legalized marijuana for medical use, but the deferred government still defines marijuana as an unacceptable medical use.

This legal conundrum has left medical marijuana in a state of limbo. States can prescribe marijuana to patients in need, but at the same time, physicians and scientists are limited in their ability to conduct necessary studies to unlock medical marijuana’s true potential. There are many proven benefits of medical marijuana, but much more research needs to be done to understand its true medicinal potential.

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One area that is becoming better understood is neurology. According to the Premier Neurology & Wellness Center, “while medical marijuana may not be ideal for treating all neurological disorders, it has been shown to be particularly effective in treating seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy.” While this is optimistic news for people with multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy, there are many other neurological conditions that could potentially benefit from further research and study.

Take neurological disorders like aphasia, for example. It’s the condition actor Bruce Willis was recently diagnosed with and why he decided to retire from acting. While studies have shown that it supports other neurological disorders, not nearly enough studies have been done to understand whether or not marijuana can help with aphasia therapy.

“Aphasia is a condition that robs you of the ability to communicate. It can affect your ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbally and in writing Mayo Clinic. Aphasia is currently treated with a variety of therapies, including speech and other cognitive therapies. There aren’t enough studies to understand whether medical marijuana can help with aphasia therapy.

It is important to do significantly more research studies on various neurological disorders such as aphasia. Finally, marijuana has already proven to be an effective option in treating some symptoms associated with neurological disorders.

“In general, cannabis can be a safe option to help with muscle spasms, pain, anxiety and sleep that may be related to the primary condition (aphasia) or the secondary effects of the primary condition,” Eloise Theisen, Chief Nursing Officer of Leaf411 and registered adult geriatric nurse, said The Fresh Toast. “We encourage anyone researching cannabis with this condition to work with a knowledgeable cannabis healthcare professional to assess the risks versus benefits of cannabinoid treatment.”

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The American Academy of Neurology, in its official statement on the matter about its inability to properly research medical marijuana and its potential uses, wrote: “The federal government currently classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug. Efforts to conduct rigorous medical research and/or reclassify marijuana in the DEA timeline will increase the potential for additional scientific data to inform clinicians and healthcare professionals.”

There’s no denying that medical marijuana has come a long way in just a few short years. It’s helping more Americans now than ever before. Until the federal government adopts a new stance on marijuana and how it’s projected as a drug, many of its medical benefits may remain elusive for many of those it can help.