Are you or a loved one suffering from a terminal illness and are wondering if you can receive Delaware medical marijuana for a terminal illness? It is completely understandable that you would look for alternatives to help with a terminal illness. As you know, a terminal illness can cause pain, anxiety, depression, lack of sleep, lack of appetite, and more.
The good news is that as a Delaware resident a person can access medical marijuana for a terminal illness. If the patient has a terminal illness and has questions about the possibility of obtaining a Delaware medical marijuana card, the team at Green Relief Health is here to help. Our Patient Care Coordinators can be reached Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 302-564-9994 or by scheduling an appointment here.
What Is A Terminal Illness?
A terminal condition or illness is one that is life threatening. While the definition can vary slightly from state to state, Delaware defines a terminal condition as the following:
“any disease, illness or condition sustained by any human being for which there is no reasonable medical expectation of recovery and which, as a medical probability, will result in the death of such human being regardless of the use or discontinuance of medical treatment implemented for the purpose of sustaining life or the life processes.”
Examples of terminal conditions may include but are not limited to advanced cancers, multiple organ failure, or some massive heart attacks and strokes.
Does Delaware Medical Marijuana Benefit Patients With A Terminal Illness?
The use of cannabis in both patients with a terminal illness in hospice and palliative settings is supported in a new study that was recently published in the Journal of Palliative Care. A total of 310 palliative care professionals, including physicians, nurses, and administrators from 40 different states responded to a survey on practice, experience, and opinions regarding medical cannabis. Of all responders, 91% indicated that they support using medical cannabis for hospice patients.
What is interesting about this study, though, is that most providers in dealing with a patient that had a terminal illness did not initiate the discussion about medical cannabis. Therefore, you should always utilize a medical marijuana provider who understands the benefits of cannabis for your medical marijuana card.
Is Delaware Medical Marijuana Allowed For Patients In Hospice Care?
The positive news is that Delaware medical marijuana can be used by patients in hospice care, but this wasn’t always the case. In 2016, Gov. Jack Markell signed “Bob’s Bill” into law, which allows adults with a terminal illness and terminally ill patients under 18 with pain, anxiety, or depression to apply for medical marijuana cards.
This law was a huge step in the right direction for patients experiencing terminal illness in Delaware. Prior to this law, patients would be forced to choose between medical cannabis and other treatment and care options. Thankfully, this is no longer the case.
How Does Medical Marijuana Help?
There are a wide range of uses for Delaware medical marijuana that could help someone with a terminal illness. One area where Delaware medical marijuana can help is with patients with a cancer diagnosis. In fact, there are already several marijuana-based drugs in use to combat some of the side effects of both the condition itself and its treatment. Studies have shown that THC, one of the main cannabinoids found in marijuana, may lower nausea in some users. On top of this, CBD has also been found to be a potent antiemetic, itself coming with several other beneficial effects.
Chronic pain is another common problem many patients face with a terminal illness, and one that is notoriously hard to help with traditional pharmaceuticals. This form of pain is especially common in those with degenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and fibromyalgia. In this area, both CBD and THC have been found effective. Other studies have suggested adding medical marijuana to an already established analgesic drug routine. It is suggested that addition, rather than outright substitution, may lead to the strongest results in some people. It has been further hypothesized that by adding marijuana to the patient’s opioid intake, the rates of tolerance and withdrawal may decrease, and once-ineffective dosages may once again become useful. This may be particularly useful in hospice care, where patients are more likely to have an established drug regimen.
Can I Get A Medical Card For A Terminal Illness in Delaware?
The good news is that you can get a medical card for a terminal illness in Delaware. The state of Delaware has 14 conditions specifically listed in the law and terminal illness is one listed in the law. To qualify for Delaware medical marijuana for a terminal illness you will need to be able to document the terminal condition diagnosis.
A patient can document their terminal illness through their medical history. They will need to be able to show that in their medical history they have been seen by a provider for this condition. Inside of the patient’s medical history there will be notes a provider has made to document the existence of a terminal illness.
Getting Your Delaware Medical Card For A Terminal Illness
Once it is determined that the patient has a proper qualifying condition for a medical card for a terminal illness, they will need to see a certified medical cannabis doctor in Delaware. The provider will meet with the patient to go over their medical history and qualifying condition. If the provider finds that they meet the criteria to qualify for a medical card in the state of Delaware, they will then be able to submit their application to the Delaware Office of Medical Marijuana.
After the doctor’s visit there is still one step to go to qualify for a Delaware medical marijuana card. The patient will then need to submit an application to the state of Delaware to verify their residency in the state. In addition, they will sign a form to release their medical information to the state of Delaware which is a part of the approval process. This process can either be done online or through the mail. There is a $50 application fee to submit this application to the state of Delaware, which is important to keep in mind.
How Can Green Relief Health Help?
If you’re curious about whether a loved one may qualify for a Delaware medical marijuana card for a terminal illness, reach out to us today. If you’d like to speak with a Green Relief Health team member, you may contact our office Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. On our website you can also find a large selection of educational blogs, an FAQ page with answers to frequently asked questions, and our own line of hemp-derived CBD that’s recommended by physicians!
