Medical Marijuana and Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease is a neuro-degenerative condition that afflicts millions of elderly Americans. As the disease advances, symptoms include confusion, irritability and aggression, mood swings, language breakdown, long-term memory loss, and the general withdrawal of the sufferer as the senses decline. Alzheimer's is the most common type of senile dementia residents of Pasadena suffer.
Modern medicine…
Several prescription drugs are currently approved by the FDA to treat people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Two families of drugs commonly used in the treatment of Alzheimer's are cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists. These include Razadyne, Exelon, Aricept, Cognex and Namenda. Long-term usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is also commonly prescribed.
Prescription drugs bring with them a wide range of side effects including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, blurry vision, pancreatitis, night sweats, hallucinations, liver disease, uncontrollable movements, increased agitation, congestive heart failure, deep vein thrombosis and vertigo - just to name a few. As recent as July 2011 Eli Lilly's had to discontinue two late-stage investigational drug trials because the trial medications were causing serious side effects such as brain swelling and an increased rate of skin cancer.
Medical Marijuana…
Cannabis has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries throughout the world and was first mentioned in the pharmacopoeia of the Chinese Emperor more than 3,000 years ago.
Recent research on medical marijuana’s neuroprotective qualities and Alzheimer’s disease indicates that cannabis and cannabinoid therapies show great promise and efficacy both for treating the symptoms as well as underlying disease.
“Current literature on phyto-therapeutic drugs cite as indications for cannabis to be painful disorders of the alimentary canal such as ulcers or cancer; respiratory disorders such as asthma, emphysema or chronic bronchitis; neuralgia, migraine; urinary tract disorders; mental disorders such as anxiety or hysteria.” PDR For Herbal Medicines, First Edition
Cannabidiol or CBD is one of the marijuana’s primary constituents. CBD delivers a combination of neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects on the brain (Alzheimer’s disease is widely thought to be associated with oxidative stress on the brain). THC, the primary psychoactive cannabinoid, has been shown to reduce the agitation common to nearly 75 percent of Alzheimer’s sufferers. A 2003 Institutes of Medicine report shows THC to also be effective in stimulating appetite and combating the anorexic characteristics so common to Alzheimer’s patients.
California’s Medical Marijuana Program (MMP)…
In 1996, California voters passed Proposition 215, also known as the Compassionate Use Act, which allows patients’ to use cannabis for medicinal purposes with a letter of recommendation from a California licensed physician.
If you or someone you know is suffering from Alzheimer’s and would like to learn more about using marijuana as an alternative medicine, please call 626-344-7596 or visit http://www.TheCannabisDoctors.com
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According to Prop 215 (also known as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996), seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes where the medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician who has determined that the person's health would benefit from the use of marijuana in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief.
Cannabis is remarkably safe. Although not harmless, it is surely less toxic than most of the conventional medicines it could replace if it were legally available. Despite its use by millions of people over thousands of years, cannabis has never cause an overdose death.
— Lester Grinspoon, MD
About Us
When you visit Roger A. Barnes MD & Associates in Pasadena you will ONLY be evaluated by a California licensed medical doctor. The California medical board says that ONLY A PHYSICIAN IS AUTHORIZED TO RECOMMEND medical use of marijuana. Patients should be aware that in order to be a valid California medical marijuana patient, the evaluation needs to be done by a California licensed Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) only. So this means that, medical assistants, chiropractors, Physician Assistants (PA's), or anyone else who is not a California licensed MD or DO cannot legally evaluate patients for medical marijuana. The physician needs to complete a medical examination and record an assessment of the patients medical condition. Dr. Barnes has been providing patients with comprehensive medical marijuana evaluations for over 5 years. He is compassionate and enjoys working with patients to determine what works best for them and how to safely consume their medicine.
If you are at a medical marijuana office and you do not see a physician, you can bet that it's illegal. Please don't be fooled by dirt cheap, quick evaluation centers, that don't require medical records or for you to actually see the doctor. Be an informed patient, do your research, look up your doctor's medical license number on the California Medical Board website and or ask to see proof from your doctor. The fee for your evaluation covers you for one year of service. What that means is, if you have questions along the way and need to come back in to meet with your doctor, there will be no additional charges. We offer 24/7 phone and internet customer service to verify your doctors written recommendation. We have appointments available Monday thru Saturday.
Our offices are centrally located in beautiful Pasadena. We are close to the 210 freeway, off the Lake Avenue Pasadena exit. We are wheelchair accessible and there is ample parking available nearby. We know that you have lots of questions and our office is stocked with helpful pamphlets regarding the laws and benefits and effects regarding medical marijuana.
About the Appointment
Upon your arrival at our office, you will be greeted by a friendly face and welcomed in. We want to take the stress and fear out of obtaining a medical cannabis recommendation. Your well-being is our primary concern. You will be impressed with the courteous service and comfortable surroundings. We have ice cold water, beverages and healthy snacks available for you. You will be asked to sign in and given an intake form to complete. You will need to provide verified proof of identity and California residency. Accepted forms of verification include:
- Valid California ID (DMV issued California driver’s license or Identification card)
- Valid Passport or Out of State ID with proof of California residency (utility bill, lease, car or voter registration
- Valid Passport or Out of State ID with temporary DMV form
- Expired California ID with temporary DMV form
- Valid Government-issued ID
- Valid Resident Card for California
- Temporary DMV form with any photo ID
- Military Card with proof of residency
- We do not accept Birth Certificates.
We will also make a photo copy of any prescription medication bottles that you have, medical records, doctors notes, diagnosis letters or medical cds that you have regarding your medical condition. You will be informed of the laws regarding medical marijuana, the benefits and side effects and alternate methods to smoking marijuana.
You should not use medical cannabis while operating a vehicle. It is a violation of law, and you can be cited for driving under the influence. When traveling with medical cannabis, its best to keep it securely locked in the trunk.
Always have proper storage for your medical cannabis and keep it out of the reach of children. You should keep your medication in a locked container in a secure place and properly labeled. You should treat marijuana just like you would any other medications.
Once your paperwork has been checked for completion you will have a private consulation with a California Licensed Medical Doctor. He will check your blood pressure and vital signs. During your visit you can speak openly with the doctor about your medical condtion and how marijuana improves it. If you qualify, you will be given a letter of recommendation which will allow you to legally grow, carry and consume marijuana as your medicine in California.
You will be given two copies of the recommendation letter, one to keep in a safe place and one to carry whenever you have medication on you. You also have the option to get a picture verification card, which is different from the verification card issued by the Department of Public Health.