Medical marijuana is obtained from the marijuana plant and contains a chemical compound which helps to treat health conditions. It is the same marijuana which people consume as a drug. In this case, it is used as a medicine to cure certain diseases. Cannabinoids are the chemicals which you can obtain from a marijuana plant. There are hundred such chemicals which have a different purpose to serve. Among these chemicals, the Cannabidiol (CBD) and Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the most important ones. The ‘high’ people get on consuming marijuana is fueled by THC. It effectively slows down the functioning of our body.
Uses of Medical Marijuana
Marijuana is effective in a number of health conditions. These health conditions are listed below.
Cachexia or wasting syndrome
Severe body pain
Muscle Spasm
Nausea
Cancer
Schizophrenia
PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Alzheimer’s disease
Crohn’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Anorexia
Glaucoma
Epilepsy
Appetite loss
Although it is not yet proved that marijuana helps in curing the above-mentioned diseases but it helps in most of these cases. A study suggests that marijuana effectively helps in reducing the pain of chemotherapy. Further studies are been conducted on the genuineness of its effect on other chronic diseases.
Marijuana without the high
Most marijuana plants when consumed give the high. This is due to the presence of THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol. Only a few hemp plants also called CBD has little intoxicating properties. The marijuana plant contains more than a hundred active elements. The CBD strains have the least amount of THC content in them. These strains are mostly used for making medical marijuana which helps in curing a lot of health conditions. It also gives relief from anxiety, pain, insomnia, plasticity, epilepsy, etc.
The Dravet Syndrome which is also called childhood epilepsy is one of the severe health conditions. It is often uncontrollable and painful for the patient. The CBD strain of marijuana also known as Charlotte’s Web helps in controlling Dravet Syndrome.
Types of Marijuana
Marijuana or Cannabis has two major types. These are Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica. They are differentiated primarily on the basis of their appearance. The Indica has 5 leaves while the Sativa has seven. The strain structures of the two type of Cannabis are quite different from each other. Also, they have different flavor, structure, yields, flowering time and effect on the human body. Most of the Cannabis users suggest that the two variant of marijuana have different primary effects and symptoms on users.
Indica: The Indica strain is the most commonly available marijuana in the market. It is highly accepted and each strain has five leaves. Besides, it has a relaxing and physically sedating feeling on the users. You will feel as if your full body is calming down and everything else around you is moving in slow motion. It helps in giving relief from multiple sclerosis, muscle spasm, nausea, chronic pain, and fibromyalgia. This strain is often used to cure the physical conditions of the patients.
Sativa: The sativa is also easily available in the market. It is different from Indica as this has 7 leaves. This strain of marijuana helps in curing psychological and mental conditions. For instance, it can help you in uplifting your mood and energizing the cerebral reaction. The sativa is often used to cure ADHD, fatigue, depression, mood swings, and other mental conditions.
How can you get access to Legal Medical Marijuana?
Medical marijuana is the only legal marijuana and is available in a handful of states across the world. It is mostly illegal to consume marijuana or cannabis in many countries. The countries where the Medical Marijuana Treatment Program is established, only those allow legal sale and purchase of marijuana. The process of acquiring legal marijuana varies from country to country and from state to state.
If you are a patient of some chronic disease which can be relieved by the use of cannabis, then your doctor will recommend it surely. It is provided under a certified doctor’s prescription in a couple of government medical facilities. For example, in California, you will need a doctor’s prescription and a valid identity proof to acquire medical marijuana. On the other hand, some states issue a Medical Marijuana Card to get access to marijuana for medical purposes only. An enrollment fee of $200 is also charged for the card.
Medical marijuana and seizure disorders
Medical marijuana was introduced in the past couple of years to the medical fraternity of the world. In the past few years, it has gained a lot of attention. It has he evidently effective to cure seizure disorders in children. Even if you are suffering from severe seizures or untreatable seizures, the medical marijuana obtained from CBD is the cure. A study on medical marijuana showed that there has been a dramatic decrease in seizures after consuming this medicine.
How to Consume Medical Marijuana
The consumption of marijuana is pretty the same. Firstly, you can smoke it up. Secondly, you can mix it with brownies and eat them. Thirdly, you can place a couple of medical marijuana drops under your tongue. Alternatively, you can use a vaporizer to inhale it. Also, you can use it as a lotion or cream on your skin. Although all these methods vary as the process of intake depends on your illness.
Each method has a different pattern of reacting with the body. For example, if you smoke it or use a vaporizer then you will feel the effect instantly. On the other hand, if you eat it, then it will take a couple of hours to react.
Side effects of Medical Marijuana
There are some side effects of medical marijuana but none of them is harmful. The side effects are listed below.
- Fast heartbeat
- Bloodshot eyes
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Hallucinations
Although the side effects vary from user to user, there is no proper information on its genuineness. If it is consumed as a drug then the user might experience depression. Apart from this, it affects brain growth, mental functioning and IQ levels among teenagers.