Case of the Moment, July 11, 2007

     Cannabis Relieves Emphysema, "Gave Me My Life Back"

     Jeanne Lasky is 74 years old, a life long smoker until two years ago when emphysema overtook her.  She had little energy, no endurance.  It was hard to do the basic minimum for taking care of herself.  She felt terrible.  Occasionally she needed oxygen, and had a tank ready for such an occasion, usually brought on by exertion. 

     Someone suggested she try cannabis, explaining that it was a known bronchodilator, and might help.  Jeanne tried it, actually smoking it through a water pipe.  Much to her surprise, and delight, she could breathe better, she had more energy, more life.  "Cannabis gave me my life back," Jeanne said.

     While it might seem counterintuitive that smoking a medicine could help someone suffering from a disease caused by smoking tobacco, cannabis is a known bronchodilator, and may have other beneficial effects on the lungs, just as it has benefits in the digestive tract and the nervous system.  

     While as a physician, I would not have suggested smoking cannabis, I'm not surprised to hear of the beneficial effects.  I suggested edibles, such as tinctures for her, but she seems to be happy with the results of smoking.  For other patients with emphysema, liquid extracts are probably ideal as a delivery system.  These were available at the corner drug store during the 1800's and until 1941.  Now they are carried at many of the local Compassionate Use Act dispensaries.