Cancer & Medical Marijuana
As new treatments for cancer advance, survival rates increase. The problem of managing pain, nausea and vomiting during treatment and recovery is an ongoing issue for the cancer patient. Although the aim of pharmaceuticals is to provide the greatest pain relief with the fewest side effects many patients find the drugs too harsh or ineffective to warrant their use and are looking for an alternative. Medicinal cannabis has been demonstrated to be uniquely effective in relieving many of the side effects of cancer treatment.
The Medical Model…
Medication is prescribed for cancer pain based on the severity of the pain. For mild pain acetaminophen or NSAIDs are often used. Moderate pain is prescribed the opioid medications hydrocodone, codeine and oxycodone along with antidepressants. More severe pain is treated with higher doses of the opioid drugs including morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone and hydromorphone. Unpleasant side effects from pain medications vary patient to patient however there is one side effect universally experienced when on opioid therapy and that is constipation. Other effects are nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, uncontrollable itching, fatigue and confusion are all possible side effects.
Many chemotherapy drugs cause nausea and vomiting. Whether you'll experience nausea and vomiting depends on what drugs you receive and whether you receive other treatments during chemo. Some of the many different anti-nausea/vomiting medications commonly prescribed are Xanax, Emend, Decdron, Benadryl, Anzemet, Marinol, Kytril, Haldol, Ativan, Reglan, Cesamet, Zofran, Zyprexa, Aloxi, Compazine and Phenergan. These drugs carry with them a wide range of effectiveness and side effects depending upon the patient, the other drugs prescribed and the treatments being received.
Medical Marijuana…
For many years cannabis has used to alleviate the pain and nausea many cancer patients experience. Recent scientific evidence indicates that cannabis has tumor-reducing and anti-carcinogenic properties. Cannabis has proven to be effective at controlling nausea associated with chemotherapy, while stimulating the appetite to help combat malnutrition and reducing discomfort and anxiety.
The 1999 Institutes of Medicine report concluded: "In patients already experiencing severe nausea or vomiting, pills are generally ineffective, because of the difficulty in swallowing or keeping a pill down, and slow onset of the drug effect. Thus an inhalation (but, preferably not smoking) cannabinoid drug delivery system would be advantageous for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea."
Currently major advances are being made in both cannabinoid pharmacology and in the understanding of the cancer disease process. The discovery of the presence of numerous cannabinoid receptors in the area of the brain associated with the control of vomiting and pain receptors has given confirmation to the anecdotal reports from patients.
Cannabis also provides the euphoric effects of THC which is well known to improve mental attitude, outlook, energy level and mood, as opposed to many tranquilizers commonly prescribed.
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.
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 Cancer 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.