Is there better treatment for pain than marijuana?

Marijuana can be an effective pain remedy, but its effectiveness can vary widely from user to user, and it isn't appropriate for all kinds of pain. Moreover, marijuana's mechanism of action isn't fully understood, and it can cause unpleasant side effects in some users.

Over-the-counter pain medications include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin. All three are very effective for light to moderate pain. For more severe pain, larger doses of these common drugs are sometimes prescribed, or they are combined with an opiate such as codeine. However, the opiates (like marijuana) can have unpleasant side effects. In addition, opiates have a strong physical dependency potential. (Marijuana doesn't have a physical dependency potential, but it can cause psychological dependency in some users.)

Only a doctor can determine the best course of treatment for your pain.