After cataracts, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the world. It has affected over 60 million people worldwide. Glaucoma is caused by a gradual buildup of excess fluid within the body of the eye. When excess fluid causes an increase in pressure to the eye, the optic nerve can become seriously compromised leading to blindness. Research findings from as far back as 1970 revealed that marijuana contains active ingredients, which can both reduce intraocular pressure within the eye as well as the pain caused by the actual condition.

Medical marijuana has also been used to reduce the acute and chronic pain associated with terminally ill cancer patients with notable effectiveness. It also has a rich history of offering relief from such things as nausea, migraines, menstrual cramps and painful muscle spasms.

The medical benefit of marijuana is not a new phenomenon in this country. To the contrary, prior to 1937, there were approximately 27 different types of prescribed medicines that contained THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Established pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Squibb developed many of these THC based medicines with relatively high degrees of success. However, the federal government, by enacting the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, caused the blanket prohibition of marijuana to be used as a lawful medication.

Exactly how medical marijuana works in cases of glaucoma is not completely understood but it is thought that marijuana produces certain chemical compounds that can effectively reduce intraocular pressure within the eye.

Conventional treatment for glaucoma has concentrated on preserving eyesight by slowing the damage to the optical nerve brought on by a dangerous increase in intraocular pressure. Treatment options involve medications that lower the pressure inside the eye. This is why medical marijuana has received so much attention from patients suffering from glaucoma. However, a new generation glaucoma treatments now being released are promising to be more effective then medical marijuana because of the ability of these medications to actually reverse the progress of the disease.

A major drawback of having to use medical marijuana to relieve glaucoma symptoms is that marijuana has a fairly short lifespan the duration of its effectiveness is usually limited to just two or three hours. This requires that glaucoma patients use marijuana up to eight-times a day in order to get the same kind of relief other glaucoma medications currently provide.

Since most marijuana taken for glaucoma is consumed through smoking, a patient must consider the risks associated with inhaling smoke. Street marijuana is not organically grown and therefore often contains impurities that can irritate and cause damage to both the lungs and trachea of the patient. This is less true with organically grown medical marijuana, which is one reason why glaucoma patients have urged lawmakers to legislate the medicinal use of marijuana.

Currently, there are thirteen states that permit the medicinal use of marijuana for certain types of ailments. Glaucoma is one of them. Currently, in states like California, medical marijuana is legal, so long as a patient can produce a valid medical marijuana identification card and doctors recommendation of use, which identifies the patient as someone who has received a physicians recommendation to treat the subject medical condition. Upon obtaining these documents, a patient may visit a local medical marijuana dispensary or clinic and obtain their medicine themselves.

The possession and use of marijuana is considered a federal crime; however, many believe that the drug is helpful in treating glaucoma. Is the use of medical marijuana really effective or is it just an excuse for drug use?

How can marijuana be used to treat glaucoma?

Glaucoma, an eye disease resulting from optic nerve damage, is often connected to elevated eye pressure. It is believed that this pressure causes a gradual loss of vision. Some studies show evidence that the use of marijuana, either through consumption or inhalation, can lower the pressure in the eye, making it a viable glaucoma treatment.

Side Effects to Marijuana Use for Glaucoma

Marijuana is used as a recreational drug because of the euphoric feeling, or high, that it produces. This high can be a dangerous side effect, hindering a person’s ability to drive, operate machinery, or perform other routine daily tasks. Other side effects include a drop in blood pressure, dry eye, and redness of the eyes. Because there have not been any studies on the long-term use of marijuana for glaucoma, the long-term effects of this treatment have not been determined.

Advantages of Marijuana over Other Treatments

Although marijuana appears to be effective in reducing eye pressure in glaucoma patients, there is no evidence that this treatment is better than other glaucoma treatments. The lack of research into marijuana’s use to treat glaucoma makes it difficult to compare it to other treatments.

Legality of Medical Marijuana

The regulation of marijuana and other drugs falls to the federal government; however, some states, including California and Arizona, have laws permitting the use of marijuana for medical treatments. Because the federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, the legality of the state laws is still unclear. Even though the state may consider it legal to use medical marijuana for glaucoma treatment, use and possession of marijuana for any reason may still be considered a federal crime.