Marijuana or Cannabis has had a controversial history in the United States, and till today there is an ongoing debate on legalizing the plant. The good news is that many states across the country have legalized it for medical treatment, and more are considering doing the same.
Several strong pros and cons have risen during the research of this recreational plant. Many people, even today, prefer medical marijuana treatments as an alternative as they help people recover or even help treat different health conditions.
In this article, we will explore a complete guide to medical marijuana treatments and how they can be used so you can understand the benefits and the risks.
What is Medical Marijuana?
The Cannabis Sativa plant or marijuana contains several different cannabinoids or chemicals that influence an individual’s body. The widely used cannabinoids are CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which directly affects the body, helps relieve specific symptoms, and even treats diseases.
Keep in mind that CBD is the popular type of medical marijuana as it does not induce sense-altering effects. Whereas THC is known to make, people feel high when they consume THC products or smoke marijuana. This is one of the reasons why the DEA has labeled marijuana a Schedule I drug. As of today, 37 states have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. There are different types of marijuana in the market, read this guide to know all about them.
Now that you have understood the definition, let us know how it works.
How Does it Work?
When you consume marijuana, it first attaches itself to the body’s Endocannabinoid –– natural cannabinoids. Your Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is known to regulate mood, emotions, fertility, digestion, sleep, and so much more. These receptors are found all over your body and play a crucial role in maintaining and regulating different internal functions of your body.
Medical marijuana then attaches and activates these receptors, which regulate or alter body functions in your body. Doing so enables the health benefits associated with the plant, which is why people worldwide prefer medical marijuana. Keep in mind that each person is different, so the effects of the plant will vary from person to person, but it also depends on the dose or quantity of cannabis consumed.
Has the FDA approved medical marijuana?
The Food and Drug Association (FDA) approves different types of products so individuals can consume them safely. Epidolex is the first medical marijuana that was approved in 2018 that is used to treat different forms of epilepsy. Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are the two rare forms of epilepsy that can be treated easily.
While Epidiolex is the only cannabidiol approved, the FDA has further approved three man-made cannabinoid products: Marinol, Cesamet, and Syndros. Synthetic cannabis products are great for individuals who feel nausea during chemotherapy or even help in boosting the appetite of people who have AIDS.
How Do You Purchase Medical Marijuana?
Now, if you have decided to purchase medical marijuana, you must first qualify for specific categories so your doctor can recommend the treatment for you. In some states, you can purchase from a store provided you have a prescription from a licensed doctor.
Remember that each state has different rules, so make sure you understand the state’s laws or else it can get you into trouble. Another thing consumers will have to obtain is a medical marijuana ID card which will allow them to purchase cannabis products from a dispensary legally.
How to Consume Medical Marijuana?
When consuming marijuana, several ways can work great for you. How you consume it depends entirely on you because each method works differently. Even the dosage and concentration of your cannabis product will affect your symptoms accordingly.
Some of the ways are:
- Smoked
- Eaten through edibles like brownies, cupcakes, gummies, and so on.
- Inhaled through a vaporizer that releases marijuana
- Tinctures
- Oil, cream or lotions which are applied on your skin
Limits and Risks
Before you start medical marijuana, it is essential that you fully understand the benefits and risks that come with it. This will help you know the power of the medicine and how much your body can consume at a time or a day.
It is important to note that doctors do not prescribe medical marijuana for everyone, so if you get it, ask all the necessary questions and know your limits. The last thing you want is to depend on medical marijuana, which could lead to addiction.
Final Thoughts
We hope this article has helped you find everything you need about medical marijuana treatments in the states. All sorts of people widely use medical marijuana; make sure you use the right dosage and concentration so that you do not experience harmful side effects. As a beginner, it is important that you start slow and use the right methods, check these marijuana consumption methods.