Dear Stoner: Does MMJ Do Anything for Migraines?

Dear Stoner: I’ve been dealing with migraines for years, and my prescribed medication rarely works. I’ve been thinking about medical marijuana as an alternative treatment. Does it do anything for migraines?
Ken

Dear Ken: They say that those who deal with migraines and insomnia are the most intelligent and creative people; I am neither, but my dumb ass still dealt with the same issue growing up. I tried all sorts of treatments — aspirin, prescription ibuprofen and Imitrex, multiple MRIs, even locking myself in a dark, silent room — but nothing worked. I’ve also gotten so stoned that I’ve forgotten I even had a migraine — but that put me out of commission longer than the headache ever did. Finally, I spoke with a medical marijuana doctor about my condition, and he recommended tinctures and edibles.

Edibles are stronger but might not kick in for an hour — probably after you’ve already thrown up and passed out from the pain. Tinctures kick in faster because they’re absorbed under your tongue and reach the bloodstream faster. The calming body high could help your headaches in fifteen minutes or so, but it didn’t work for me. My head still pulsated and my body was still overheating. Turns out monitoring my hydration, stress and sleep was the best cure. But just because edibles and tinctures didn’t work for me doesn’t mean they won’t work for you. My doctor’s a bright guy, and he recommended them for a reason.

Dear Stoner: Flower and pre-rolls are getting cheaper in Colorado; why aren’t edibles?
Koki

Dear Koki: As I noted in a recent article about flower prices in Colorado dispensaries, a dispensary data firm reported that although the average gram of pot was $6.67 in April (down more than $2 since 2014), the average edible cost $16.20, just 62 cents less than in 2014. According to the data firm, average gram prices are taken from all amounts sold (grams, eighths, ounces and so on), so don’t expect $6 grams everywhere — but it’s still quite a difference in overall price reduction.

Sadly, a price fall in edibles isn’t expected anytime soon. Dispensary owners and edibles manufacturers I’ve spoken to have said that keeping up with regulation changes in production and packaging have disallowed cutting retail prices. Enforcing safety measures like childproof packages and the earmarking of each ten-milligram serving isn’t a bad thing, but updating equipment and materials every six months costs money. And guess who those costs are passed on to? Us, baby.

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