Marijuana comes from the Cannabis plant and is used recreationally or medically for various ailments. While marijuana and cannabis have often been considered the same, there are quite a few differences between the two. The biggest difference between cannabis and marijuana is that cannabis refers to all the products that are made from the Cannabis Sativa plant whereas marijuana is one of the products from the plant that contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). While most of the states in the United States of America have legalized the use of marijuana and other cannabis products, there are a few that consider it illegal. The two main ingredients in marijuana are THC and CBD (cannabidiol). THC gives you the feeling of being high while CBD alters feelings of the mind.
What are the forms of Medical Marijuana?
Medical marijuana has seen a massive increase in its usage across the US and more people are looking to the herb for relief from different conditions such as chronic pain, nausea, anxiety, and depression. However, there is a common misconception that medical marijuana has to be smoked in order to get its benefits. That is, in fact, not the case. Today, cannabis dispensaries have a plethora of marijuana products that can be inhaled by vaporizing it, taken as a liquid or pill, and can even be consumed as food in the form of edibles. Every type of medical marijuana product has its own effects and targets symptoms differently. The way medical marijuana works is that it comes in contact with the body’s receptors and is then transported to the brain. From there it targets the affected area and helps the user find relief. The exact process of how medical marijuana works has not yet been discovered but scientists are working on it non-stop.
What exactly does Medical Marijuana treat and are there any risks?
While the law for treating conditions with medical marijuana varies depending on the type of treatment required and the severity of the condition, there are a handful of underlying conditions that have been associated with medical marijuana treatment. People suffering from Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s, AIDS, ALS, epilepsy, cancer, seizures, hepatitis C, chronic pain, glaucoma, PTSD, nausea, and multiple sclerosis have sought relief from medical marijuana consumption. While the research is relatively new, medical marijuana has also helped patients find relief after chemotherapy and stop vomiting.
In terms of risks associated with medical marijuana, there is not a lot. When smoked, cannabis can lead to breathing problems like bronchitis and severe cough. It is also not advisable to use medical marijuana when pregnant as it could affect the growth and development of the baby. Consuming marijuana in large amounts has also been associated with schizophrenia, as per certain studies. However, the risks of consuming medical marijuana are insignificant when compared to pharmaceutical drugs.
5 Things to Know Before Choosing a Cannabis Dispensary
Marijuana being legal in most of the United States, professional cannabis dispensaries have popped up everywhere from San Francisco, Sioux Falls, New York, and almost everywhere in between. But how do you differentiate between the dispensaries that deal with top-quality material and the ones that don’t? Here is what you need to know to walk into the best cannabis stores around you.
Quality vs. Quantity
For most people, quantity is far more attractive of the two, but when it comes to medical marijuana, quality should be the number one priority on your list. You can easily find a dispensary that has a wide selection of products along with a selection of potencies that exactly suit your needs, but does that always mean they are offering the best quality ingredients? Not necessarily. Although you cannot touch and smell the products, you can check the quality by noticing whether there is mold on the buds or if the plant itself looks extremely stale. If you are experienced enough, you should be able to tell whether the marijuana is fresh or not with a single sniff. Remember, just because you walked in, doesn’t mean you have to buy. Always insist on getting the best and freshest products when it comes to medical marijuana. Also, you should avoid dispensaries that larger quantities at discounted prices. This could mean that they are trying to get rid of their older stock and should be considered a red flag for anyone buying medical marijuana.
Know the Source
If you are a conscious consumer, you probably ask for the source of your favorite veggies, fruits, and protein. In the same way, you should also know where the medical marijuana you’re buying is coming from. With this information, you can tell how fresh it really is and how it is grown. You can usually get all the information you want from your local budtender or get the information online. Before you choose a dispensary, you should do a little research and find out where the different strains come from. You might be surprised that some dispensaries actually grow their own marijuana onsite whereas most of them buy the product from local farms. When you know where your marijuana is coming from, you can rest assured that it is always fresh and of the best quality.
Check for Delivery
Thanks to the pandemic, we are now used to “home delivery” for practically everything. So, why shouldn’t your medical marijuana come to your doorstep? There are a lot of dispensaries that offer delivery services for their cannabis products. It is far more convenient, especially for patients who have trouble walking, driving, or traveling by public transport. People can simply make their selections online and choose a delivery date and time. However, when it comes to delivering medical marijuana, the person holding the medical marijuana card must be present at the time of the delivery so that the identification can be verified. If you can find a dispensary that offers home delivery, it should be a great option for all your medical marijuana requirements.
Ambience
As we have already talked about, medical marijuana dispensaries can come in all shapes and sizes. If you can’t get home delivery for your products, you should find a dispensary that suits your needs – as well as your liking. In fact, visiting a dispensary might be helpful as you can learn about the different strains and ask the budtender anything you want to know. When you walk into a dispensary, you should notice the ambience of the place. If it seems like a calm, welcoming, place, you should be alright getting your herbal medicine there. On the other hand, if you find the dispensary and its staff unwelcoming and rude, you should look for another dispensary.
Read the Reviews
New businesses are always looking for ways to get their name out there and one of the best ways to do that is through reviews. If a dispensary has high-quality products, friendly staff, and a helpful environment, their customer reviews should mirror that. You can get online and look for the dispensary’s reviews and see what customers are liking the best about the place.
Now that you know everything you need to about medical marijuana, you can confidently get your card and start your treatment process. With hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries around the country, and with hundreds more coming up, you should find it easy to get your preferred strains. So, if you are new to the medical marijuana game, this guide should help you get started without any inconvenience.