What is medical marijuana?

Medical marijuana is any derivative of the cannabis plant used to relieve symptoms caused by different medical conditions. It is also called medical cannabis. 

The cannabis sativa plant has two essential compounds- cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). 

What is medical marijuana used for?

Marijuana was used to relieve pain as early as 5,000 years ago. The Egyptians, Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Chinese have also used it for medicinal purposes.  

Medical marijuana is primarily used to relieve chronic pain from various health conditions like cancer, arthritis, sclerosis, and joint issues. They are pretty popular among older people as it is less addictive and safer than opiates. Furthermore, it is almost impossible for you to overdose using it. 

Some doctors also recommend medical cannabis as an alternative to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like Aleve or Advil, which aren’t compatible with people with kidney problems or ulcers. 

Some people vouch for marijuana’s effectiveness as a muscle relaxant and claim it can diminish Parkinson’s disease-related tremors. However, this particular benefit was observed in small studies and remains inconclusive. 

Studies about medical marijuana and glaucoma also found that cannabis can be used to cure this eye disease. Moreover, cannabis also controls nausea and weight loss. Meanwhile, its application to treat PTSD in soldiers who have just returned from battle zones is an up-and-coming field of research.

What’s the difference between medical cannabis and recreational cannabis?

Cannabis is a drug that falls under both medical and recreational legal classifications. However, there’s a massive difference between the two, especially in how it’s regulated in different states. 

At least 34 state in the United States has medical cannabis programs. To purchase medical cannabis products, you must provide a state-issued medical card and ID to the cannabis dispensary. 

Laws governing medical marijuana differ from state to state. For instance, under California’s medical marijuana regulations, the same goods offered in retail outlets can be purchased by medical patients in several areas. On the other hand, some states, like New York, forbid patients from buying any cannabis products that may be smoked.

Adult-use or recreational cannabis is often consumed because of its enjoyable psychedelic effects. Most recreational cannabis contains THC, which has mood-altering effects. While THC also has medical uses, it’s primarily used by most consumers to get that “high” feeling. 

Cannabis products used for medical purposes and cannabis used for leisure have the same qualities. Most states demand testing for pesticides and cannabinoid strength on both types of cannabis (the number of chemicals like THC found in the product).

However, neither variety of cannabis is more potent or comes from a distinct plant.

Currently, only 11 states in the U.S. have legalized the use of recreational cannabis for people who are aged 21 and above.  

Contrary to popular belief, cannabis does not fall under national rules that would set acceptable levels of pesticides or heavy metals. As a result, the quality of cannabis for both medicinal and adult usage differs from state to state.

How many cannabinoids are there?

Aside from THC and CBD, more than 100 other cannabinoids can be found in marijuana plants. It also contains more than 540 chemical substances. 

Are cannabis or cannabinoids helpful in treating health conditions?

Medical marijuana can be used orally, smoked, evaporated, or combined with food or confectionery to make “edibles.”

Smoking should be avoided since it produces several harmful substances. Edibles should be used in tiny doses to prevent intoxication. Research on the effects of cannabinoids is still in its early stages. 

Glaucoma

Cannabis has been shown in studies from the 1970s and 1980s to decrease ocular pressure, albeit not as efficiently as conventional therapies. The fact that cannabis-based medications only temporarily reduce ocular pressure is one of their drawbacks.

Anxiety

There is some evidence from human research that cannabis or cannabinoids may assist in lessening anxiety. In one research of 24 patients with social anxiety disorder, those who took CBD experienced less anxiety during a mock public speaking exam than those who took a placebo.

Pain

A 2018 analysis of 16 research on cannabis-based medications for neuropathic pain discovered low- to moderate-quality evidence that these medications reduced pain more effectively than placebos. The United States has not authorized Sativex, a mouthwash with THC and CBD permitted in certain other nations.

Sleep Problems

Evidence shows that those who use cannabis or cannabinoids have improved sleep quality, fewer sleep disruptions, or shorter sleep onset times. It’s unclear, though, whether people slept better because their medical conditions had lessened their symptoms or whether the cannabis products themselves directly impacted sleep.

Depression

Even though many depressed people use marijuana, researchers do not believe the substance is the primary cause of mood illness. Recent studies reveal that individuals with the illness utilize it to address their symptoms instead. One of the most typical reasons people claim they use marijuana is to alleviate unpleasant symptoms.

Medical marijuana is promising for various applications, especially in relieving chronic pain. If you are unsure whether you can use it to relieve some symptoms caused by your medical condition, it’s best to consult your trusted doctor and ask for professional advice.