As much as cannabis is illegal in many countries globally, pharmaceutical companies can still earn money by making synthetic cannabis. If you want to get a marijuana recommendation, you can opt for Pennsylvania medical marijuana check here.
Synthetic medications such as Marinol are approved in countries that ban cannabis as they can treat specific conditions and better the patient’s life. Marinol is a version of dronabinol, a synthetic version of THC. However, many people are still confused about how it differs from cannabis.
To know more about Marinol and how it is different from cannabis, read on.
The Uses Of Marinol
Are you wondering what Marinol is prescribed for? The Food and Drug Administration in the U.S approved it to treat two conditions, the wasting syndrome associated with HIV/AIDS and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Do you know HIV/AIDS patients are diagnosed with wasting syndrome when they lose more than 10% of their body weight?
When patients avoid antiretroviral therapy medication and have a sudden loss of appetite or have reduced ability to absorb nutrients because HIV has damaged the intestinal lining, they can have such a condition. Marinol is best in such a condition as it can increase appetite and sustain it hence making patients take in more calories, build muscle mass and prevent further rapid weight loss.
Chemotherapy affects the body a lot. Even though cancer patients can be treated through chemotherapy, it leaves them feeling tired and sick. With nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite that they do experience, they can quickly lose weight. Most doctors recommend Marinol as it can fight these symptoms.
How is Marinol Consumed?
Those already familiar with Marinol know that this anti-nausea and anti-AIDS treatment is not marijuana. It’s a synthetic form of THC. However, those new to medical cannabis may be wondering how exactly it is used? Marinol is an FDA-approved medication, and it comes in the form of a pill.
THC, the main ingredient that’s used in Marinol, is actually an oral medication. Marinol can be prescribed to those suffering from nausea and vomiting associated with AIDS treatments and those experiencing loss of appetite with conditions such as cancer.
Is The Use Of Marinol Legal?
Many people fail to understand how Marinol is legal while cannabis is not. In 1985, Marinol was considered by the Food and Drug Administration as a Schedule I drug, meaning it is not accepted for medical use and has a high potential for abuse when used.
But a year later, the Drug Enforcement Agency reclassified it as a Schedule II substance, meaning it has some medical use but still has a high chance of being abused. In 1999, the agency decided to reclassify Marinol as a Schedule III, meaning its physical dependency chances are less.
As much as Marinol is similar to cannabis, the agency has classified cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug. There are still some states in the United States where users cannot legally access some form of cannabis.
The Cost Of Marinol
The prices of Marinol and cannabis are entirely different as Marinol costs much more than cannabis. For instance, you can buy 60 capsules of Marinol in one bottle, each containing 2.5 mg at $734. The good thing about Marinol is even though it is expensive, some health insurance packages in the United States cover these costs.
But medical cannabis users can buy between 800 and 5,000 mg of cannabis with that amount of cash in California, depending on the strain they want. A cannabis user can buy any amount of cannabis they want with less money.
Many people do not know whether Marinol is dangerous or not. It is safe to say many patients do not have any severe side effects when using it. However, you should know that some people, especially those with a history of mental illness, can experience psychological effects. Different people react differently to Marinol as some also have side effects such as seizures, allergic reactions, dizziness, itching, rash, and even trouble breathing.
With the above information, it is now easier to know what Marinol is and how it is different from cannabis. Even though they are similar, a few things make them different from each other. When you are well informed about the differences between Marinol and cannabis, it is easy to know the suitable one for you too.