Philadelphia, PA, Dec. 21, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Dr. Sanjay Gupta, President of the American Pain Association (APA) is leading the efforts to educate physicians, lawmakers and insurance companies about the significant health benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) products for the treatment and management of pain and Opioid Use Disorder. The American Pain Association is hailing the passage of the Farm Bill as a breakthrough and major victory for patients and physicians seeking harmless therapeutic modalities to treat people suffering from various pain syndromes including spine, migraine, neuropathic, fibromyalgia and opioid use disorder. The passage would remove CBD from the Controlled Substances Act and legalize CBD production.
Speaking at the American Pain Association (APA) “Turn the Tide” symposium held at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School In New Jersey, Dr. Gupta applauded the passage of the Farm bill claiming that this historical step will make it easier for research and insurance coverage for HEMP CBD. Continued Dr. Gupta, “In spite of significant health benefits of CBD, there is a huge stigma and lack of education about CBD amongst physicians, patients and lawmakers. There are patients and physicians who incredibly believe that CBD is more harmful than opioids. Our mission at the APA is to change that misperception through education.” On the eve of Farm Bill, APA has launched a SMS hotline where people can text word “CBD” to 345-345 to get further education and information about CBD.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, NJ Health Commissioner expressed his strong support for the Farm Bill as well as the mission of Dr. Gupta and the APA in education and research. He highlighted the work NJ State has done in expanding indications and improving access for medical marijuana. Pennsylvania State Senator Sharif Street and NJ Assemblyman Joe Danielsen joined the prestigious panel and expressed the need and support for the ongoing education and research. They are both pioneers in their respective states in increasing access to Marijuana to fight the opioid crisis. Commented Bruce J. Schoengood, President of Medifirst Solutions (OTC/ MFST), “We are thrilled to partner with Dr. Gupta and the APA in this fight for all natural pain solutions and reduce to public dependence on opioids.”
This symposium was part of the APA National Medical School Educational Tour Initiative started to educate, advocate and fight the deadly opioid epidemic that has been responsible for killing thousands and putting innocent youths and children at serious risk. Topics discussed included the challenges and strategies for Opioid Epidemic and exploring the role of CBD products in pain management and in stemming the deadly opioid epidemic. Previous symposiums were held at Temple University Medical School, PCOM Medical School and Rowan University Cooper Medical School.
Stated Dr. Gupta, “CBD can help significantly in pain management as well as the opioid crisis the US is currently facing, however, given the cost and lack of insurance coverage, many patients are not able to afford it and therefore are more likely to choose the narcotics simply because they are covered by insurance companies. I believe insurance companies should be willing to pay for patients who are willing to not take opioids and use CBD as a replacement. It would be much cheaper for them to cover the cost of CBD compared to the cost of narcotic prescriptions and managing opioid side effects. There are not many good solutions for Opioid Use Disorders. Even medications like Saboxone, which were supposed to help in addiction, are being abused. So we are really glad that we have a harmless and natural solution in CBD for addiction and Opioid use Disorder."
“CBD is marijuana (or cannabis) without the THC, the psychoactive compound found in Cannabis plants. Unlike THC, CBD does not make patients high and Gupta believes, is proving to have many health benefits including pain relief, weight loss, sleep disturbances, ADD and Anxiety disorders, or smoking cessation. CBD is like a brain energy food or vitamin. Current energy foods are filled with caffeine and sugar causing damaging health effects. But CBD does not have any of that. Weight loss is a big area as the current weight loss medications are not safe but CBD is all natural weight loss solution,” stated Dr. Gupta. To further this movement, the APA has started a multi-institutional CBD research initiative and is partnering with faculty in seven medical schools and universities around the nation to obtain the research and data necessary to communicate the benefit of having insurance companies cover CBD products. Patients who would like to participate in studies are advised to email info@painassociation.org and will be provided CBD free of charge.
Dr. Gupta currently serves as President of the American Pain Association, an organization with board members from Harvard Medical School, John Hopkins Hospital and Weill Cornell Medicine, among other prestigious universities and medical schools. The primary efforts of the American Pain Association are directed toward education, research and improving treatment of pain, the most common cause of disability in the United States. With a focus on education and research-backed data, Dr. Gupta and the American Pain Association are working to make CBD an accessible form of treatment to patients in US and worldwide.