Minnesota has added Alzheimer’s disease to its state list of conditions that can be treated with medical marijuana along with 12 other states that permit medical marijuana for Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions. Some studies have found that marijuana inhibits the formation or tau proteins that accelerate dementia and memory loss related to the disease. It can also help families living with elderly parents or other loved ones with Alzheimer’s as it helps with anxiety and aggression. For the complete article follow our link to the Star Tribune.
Alzheimer’s added to Minnesota’s medical marijuana list
By Jeremy Olson | Star Tribune
Alzheimer’s disease will become eligible for treatment with medical marijuana in Minnesota next year, making it the 14th health condition approved since the state’s cannabis program began in 2015.
The Minnesota Department of Health announced Monday that it was adding the degenerative neurological disorder to the program, despite limited evidence on the effectiveness of treatment with cannabis. Some studies have found that marijuana inhibits the formation of tau proteins that accelerate dementia and memory loss related to the disease.
“Any policy decisions about cannabis are difficult due to the relative lack of published scientific evidence,” said state Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. “However, there is some evidence for potential benefits of medical cannabis to improve the mood, sleep and behavior of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.”
Malcolm declined to add six other conditions that had been submitted this summer to a state advisory panel. The others were hepatitis C, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, opioid use disorders, panic disorder, psoriasis and traumatic brain injury. Continue Reading
