Nurse April Featured in Women and Weed

Pick up the latest issue of Women and Weed to read April’s thoughts on cannabis consumption methods.

She, along, with several other healthcare professionals discuss the pros and cons of the different consumption methods and in the article she states, “the bottom line is that the ‘healthiest’ way to consume cannabis is whatever way people can consume it comfortably and confidently.” 

This issue also features a review of state laws, how Martha Stewart is using CBD, and the ABC’s of Marijuana. 

Magazine is available at all major retail outlets. 

Nurses Say Education Should Take Priority

Recently April Hatch and Dedee Culley spoke with Brandon Dunn about the importance of education in the cannabis industry. To read the full article check out the link below. 

“Patient and community education are two pillars that the rest of the cannabis industry is built.

Educating patients in medical states and creating intelligent consumers in adult-use markets are imperative to the long-term success and growth of the industry. At the same time, community education helps to quell resistance and opposition.

Most people who are opposed to cannabis hold those opinions based on rhetoric and ignorance. Rarely is someone educated on the medicinal benefits of cannabis still adamant in their opposition, at least for a medical market. Adult-use, however, still faces significant opposition at times – and while education may not always lead someone to support adult-use, it does empower others as it removes bias and destigmatizes perception. As with tobacco, alcohol, fast food, or a litany of other products, adult-use cannabis will always face scrutiny and opposition, but destigmatizing cannabis and its use is an integral part of moving forward.

With that in mind, Greenway recently spoke to two members of the medical marijuana industry in Missouri about the importance of patient education.” (Greenway Magazine)

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

How an MS Patient Found Success

Ardra Shephard is a Canadian and not well known in the US – but she is on her way to
increased recognition and fame as a blogger, script consultant, and speaker. What you don’t know about Ardra is that her award-winning blog Tripping on Air is an inside look at her life with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS grips its sufferers in the worst ways including nerve pain, spasticity, and insomnia – as well as seizing legs and fatigue. Conventional medicine often produces unwanted side effects and can lead to more pharmaceutical experiments in a continually failing attempt to find relief.

Ardra recently wrote about 7 things she learned in her journey to treat her MS woes with medicinal cannabis. On her list:

1. It’s important to consult a professional. Taking an approach to any treatment plan
without first talking with a medical professional is not only foolish, but can be dangerous.
Ardra recognized early on in her journey that she knew next to nothing about the
plant-based medicine and took it upon herself to do diligent research with the help of
clinicians and pharmacists to ensure she understood recommendations for her specific conditions.

2. Medical cannabis can be expensive. In the US, medical healthcare providers do not cover cannabis as medication and this can be an out of pocket expense which takes experimentation with different types, which can be spendy.

3. It’s possible to overdo it with medical cannabis. Ardra writes about how the dosage for her medication in Canada included instructions to “start slow.” Unfortunately, she unknowingly overdid it and although she slept, when a middle-of-the-night bathroom need interrupted her slumber, she realized she was extremely high and promptly fainted.

4. The effects of medical cannabis can last a long time. As a result of the psychoactive effects in THC, cannabis effects can be long lasting. With practice and journaling effects, one can determine the right type and dosage to serve as a solution to many conditions.

5. Medical cannabis is not without risk or side effects. Don’t misunderstand that finding – there are side effects that can result from cannabis use – but they don’t include addiction, or cancer like many pharmaceuticals do. The side effects from cannabis might include anxiety or paranoia, sedation, and increased appetite. The beauty of these side effects is that with careful use and documenting results as experimenting with different strains and products is that some of these can be easily avoided.

6. Medical cannabis is not a panacea. Ardra is quick to point out that cannabis didn’t cure her MS, but for her is a symptom management tool, used in conjunction with lifestyle modifications, diet, and some conventional medicine.

7. The benefits are worth it. Like many others who suffer from the impacts of MS, Ardra found that CBD and THC helps her to sleep better, decrease pain, and as such pain medication, and enjoy some of life’s simpler tasks without suffering.

view ardra's blog here