Cannabis is quite widespread in this day and age. All the major censuses and studies confirm this to be the case, especially among the younger generations. For example, the National Institute on Drug Abuse says that roughly 45% of teens in the United States have tried cannabis at least once before graduation.
So, you can see that this is quite an important question parents need to address. One of the things that might be misleading about this topic is the recent legalization of cannabis in some states. However, that doesn’t mean that medical cannabis cannot help with some problems that might pop up.
Besides, cannabis is taboo in many parts of our society, which adds to misunderstanding. So, today, we want to guide you through all the important things parents should know regarding medical cannabis
Medical Cannabis: The Basics
Medical cannabis is an umbrella term for a wide array of cannabis-infused products. These products are used to treat certain conditions. So naturally, consuming these without consulting with a physician is not recommendable.
Instead, the physician will examine each patient’s case and determine whether this therapy is needed. Patients who get this therapy must apply for a medical permit. At the same time, the legalization opens a lot of room for exposure to these medications.
Therefore, it is an absolute must for parents to know what their children are consuming and for what purposes. Of course, this is a much bigger problem in states where the recreational consumption of cannabis is legalized.
The exposure is complete in this case, so paying attention to whether your child is consuming or not is an absolute must. If the parent suffers from a condition where this treatment is needed, these medications should be kept away from their children’s reach.
A good example is consuming edibles. Your child might think that this is ordinary food. Since this is a great risk for them, we recommend keeping these in a place where they cannot reach them or labeling them as medication.
CBD for Minors
Regarding parenting and medical cannabis, it is clear that this is restricted solely to CBD-infused products. Unlike THC, it is well-known for its medical benefits and doesn’t produce any psychological effects.
Even though the use of these products is quite limited when it comes to minors, we can see that many products are marketed as such. Plus, some parents consider giving these products to their children. For example, 7% of participants in a study conducted by Michigan Medicine stated they had considered it.
However, most parents still believe CBD for kids should be possible solely with a doctor’s prescription. There are numerous reasons for this opinion, but the most important is the lack of knowledge on the subject. But when you scratch the surface, the same study says that three in four parents are interested in this possibility.
Some even consider it a good option when other medications do not work properly. Most parents have considered conditions such as anxiety, muscle pain, autism, or hyperactivity disorder. Numerous studies have already proved the positive effects on individuals who suffer from these conditions.
CBD and Parenting
Even though it might sound strange initially, CBD can help parents build a stronger bond with their children. There are several ways this can happen.
More Patience
People are busier these days than ever before, especially after the global pandemic of COVID-19 and all the things that came with it. A study shows that around 12% of female parents have lower tolerance levels than before 2020.
Getting angry at minors can cause them to develop mistrust, even dislike, for the adults, including their parents. Consuming CBD can help parents by helping them have more patience to listen to their children.
Helps with Sleeping Disorder
One of the most efficient ways to connect with your child is to read them bedtime stories. So many people have this memory of their parents, and they hold them as one of the dearest they have. When children sleep with their parents, they feel secure and comfortable.
These days, parents might have problems listening to their children or reading them a story, especially after a long work day. With that in mind, CBD can help relieve stress and help parents be more patient. With that in mind, this is a way to create beautiful memories for your child.
Finding Common Ground
Communication with our children is essential during their upbringing. Children ask a lot of questions, and they want to participate in everything their parents do. So, when parents have enough patience to communicate with their children, it helps to create stronger bonds and find common ground.
Unknown Side Effects
CBD-infused products come in various shapes and sizes, like edibles, vaping, oils, etc. You can find them in many places, such as drugstores and supermarkets. However, we can see that FDA approved only one purified form.
As we’ve mentioned, it was approved as an alternative for medications that sometimes do not work properly. Even though it is more than clear that they can help with depression, sleep problems, and hyperactivity, it is also clear that the research remains somewhat limited.
On the other side, the side effects remain unknown for the most part. Still, some of the side effects of CBD consumption by minors are confirmed, like diarrhea, fatigue, or sleepiness, have been noted but not fully proven yet. Furthermore, parents should be aware that all the products have a description where all the ingredients are noted.
To be legal, they need to have 0.3% of THC. One of the problems that might occur is that parents will come across products whose description says that they have 0% of THC. It is important to know that this is usually not true. Therefore, parents shouldn’t purchase products from uncredited dispensaries and websites.
Summary
Parents should be knowledgeable about everything that sparks an interest in their children. At the same time, knowing everything can help improve their bonds. Here, you can look at how medical cannabis, particularly CBD, can help in these moments.
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