Daily doze of cannabis not a far off reality for senior citizens

Under a new program at a nursing home in New York City, medical marijuana will be used to help treat residents for various illnesses.

The alternative to prescription drugs will be available at Hebrew Home's dispensary for residents to buy and consume on their own.

Ruth Brunn, 98 has accepted cannabis as a solution to the excruciating pain caused by neuropathy. She has cut down on her prescribed pain medication, morphine because marijuana pills have worked well for her.

“I don’t feel high or stoned,” she said while talking to the New York Times. “All I know is I feel better when I take this.”

American senior citizens are increasingly turning to marijuana for relief from pains and aches. Nursing homes and retirement communities have rapidly started embracing the alternative to prescription drugs.

Pro-medical marijuana groups have rationalized the move by saying marijuana is comparatively less addictive than drugs such as morphine. Marijuana for many is proving to be the miracle substance that is the last resort for the chronically ill.

29 of the 50 states in the US allow the medical use of marijuana, which is banned by federal law.

According to some reports, the drug has proved effective for treating people diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other types of dementia.

Increasing scientific evidence indicates how marijuana is useful in treating certain medical conditions such as vomiting and nausea from chemotherapy, severe muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis, and neuropathic pain among others.

The article originally appeared in the New York Times