Cannabis and the Law
• Cannabis has medicinal properties
Can help people living with HIV, cancer …
But: • Cannabis laws and their enforcement vary Our fact sheets are mainly about the US
What Is Cannabis?
• Family of plants
– Consumed (marijuana) or used to make fabrics (hemp)
• Cannabinoids extracted for consumption:
– Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) makes you high
– Cannabidiol (CBD) does not cause a high
• FDA-approved synthetic versions of THC:
– Dronabinol (Marinol) and Nabilone (Cesamet)
• Natural cannabis contains terpenes
– Combination of terpenes and cannabinoids has benefits
• Talk to your provider before taking cannabis! www.thewellproject.org
Cannabis can help with: - Lowering inflammation - Anxiety symptoms (social anxiety disorders) - Chronic pain - Depression - Fatigue
- Increased appetite and decreased HIV-related weight loss - Insomnia - Multiple sclerosis (MS)-related spasticity symptoms - Nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy
- Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms - Tourette syndrome symptoms • Can also cause/worsen mental health disorders www.thewellproject.org
• Relieve peripheral neuropathy symptoms
• Address ongoing inflammation from HIV
• Reduce nausea and improve appetite
• Smoking may work faster than eating But: – Smoking damages body and increases inflammation
• Current cannabis study in people living with HIV – May advance HIV cure research
Cannabis and HIV Treatment
• Interacts with some antiretroviral drugs
• Significant interactions:
Reyataz (atazanavir) – Sustiva (efavirenz) – Intelence (etravirine)
• May need to adjust HIV drug dosages
• Tell your provider about everything you are taking! – Medical confidentiality laws protect you, even if cannabis is illegal in your state
• Weak interactions:
Cannabis and HIV Treatment
Genvoya
Kaletra
Norvir
Prezcobix
Prezista boosted with Norvir
Stribild
Sunlenca
Symtuza
• No adjustment needed, but watch for problems
• Other interactions are possible
vs.
Marijuana • Medical marijuana
Same substances as recreational marijuana
Legal benefits
State regulations
Whether recreational marijuana is legal
Which conditions qualify for medical marijuana card
Medical conditions:
ALS
Anorexia
Cancer
Crohn's disease
Epilepsy and seizures
Fibromyalgia
Glaucoma
HIV
Migraines
MS and muscle spasms
Pain (chronic)
Parkinson's disease
• Inhalation/smoking
Rapid action
Eating edibles
Variable potency -> be careful with source
Start small and wait for effect
Applying to skin
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