Medicinal marijuana, also known as medical cannabis, refers to cannabis Sativa derivatives used in medicine to help relieve medical symptoms in case of compromised health.
The cannabis Sativa plant is a widespread herb with an abundance of active ingredients like Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). It is the THC component that influences the so-called entrancement of getting high on marijuana.
There is much room to talk about medical marijuana, concerning the availability, who it is for, and whether it is legal to purchase. You are also probably wondering, “Is there a dispensary near me?” which we’ll talk about additionally. Keep reading for the answers to all your burning questions!
Is Cannabis Legal in the States?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question because different states practice specific rules and regulations regarding smoking marijuana.
In general, US federal laws ban the possession of the entire cannabis Sativa plant or its byproducts for any reason — medical or recreational. However, CBD derivatives extracted from the cannabis Sativa plant containing less than 0.3% THC are legal in the USA, and many states have decriminalized THC for medical purposes.
Still, most often than not, medical marijuana does not contain THC to avoid any intoxicating effects, which is why many US regions have vouched for its legalization.
On the other hand, recreational marijuana is still heavily regulated or restricted in many states. So, if you’re asking, “Is there a recreational dispensary near me?” to get high, your only choice is to purchase Delta 8, a weed variant that is legal to buy.
Who’s Eligible To Use Medical Marijuana?
If you are a registered patient that wants to use marijuana for health-related purposes, check your home state’s laws regarding the matter just to be on the safe side.
Depending on the state in question, people with the following health issues are eligible to use medical marijuana:
- Crohn’s disease;
- HIV/AIDS;
- Alzheimer’s disease;
- Severe and chronic pain;
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS);
- Multiple sclerosis and muscle spasms;
- Epilepsy and seizures;
- Nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy;
- Glaucoma.
If you need a supply for any of the conditions above, you’re probably asking yourself, “Are there dispensaries near me?” There are, but the number will depend on your state’s laws and regulations.
Is Medicinal Marijuana Safe to Use?
Although the world is long overdue for more research on the safety or adversity of using marijuana for medicinal purposes, patients have reported partial symptom relief in insomnia, anxiety, and pain-causing spasms triggered by epilepsy.
You should know the marijuana variant used for medicinal purposes includes CBD-dominant strains with little to no THC in their composition, which rules out more significant side effects.
An interesting outlook on the use of medical marijuana has been presented in a blog by Harvard Health Publishing. Namely, a unique form of juvenile epilepsy known as the Dravet syndrome is a severe condition occurring in early childhood, accompanied by developmental delay and seizures. Sometimes, this condition results in premature death.
However, when introducing a CBD-prevalent strain of marijuana called Charlotte’s Web to the treatment, an incredible shift happens — patients can significantly tone down the severity of the symptoms.
Possible Side Effects of Medical Marijuana
Still, the studies done so far are only scratching the surface. More should be researched and closely examined regarding marijuana in health treatments to narrow down all possible side effects.
For now, we know that adverse effects can include:
- Abnormal appetite increase;
- Elevated heart rate;
- Impaired ability to react;
- Dizziness;
- Decreased focus;
- Memory loss;
- Altering the effects of existing treatments;
- Proneness to stroke or heart attacks;
- Hallucinations;
- Potential addiction.
The side effects above are the most extreme, but patients rarely experience long-term consequences. You may feel slightly dizzy and tired if it’s your first time taking medical marijuana.
How To Use Medicinal Marijuana?
Patients allowed to use marijuana for medicinal purposes can check whether there are marijuana dispensaries nearby and get their prescribed CBD in various forms.
Medicinal cannabis can come in:
- Tablets and capsules;
- Liquids;
- Oils;
- Powders;
- Dried leaves.
After you have purchased your medicine, you can easily administer it yourself because there are no special requirements for consuming medical marijuana. The frequency of use will depend on the cannabis product and the severity of the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Besides symptom relief, possible side effects can occur depending on the type of medical marijuana you use. One of the fastest ways to experience symptom relief is to inhale the vapor of medical marijuana, while pills counteract pain the slowest.
Is There a Marijuana Dispensary Near Me?
Marijuana dispensaries are easy to come by — there are currently 15 of them located in Miami alone.
One of them is KushMia, a marijuana dispensary that offers a wide range of medical marijuana with discreet and prompt delivery.
Luckily for medical marijuana consumers, dispensaries operate throughout the US and cater to the needs of patients at almost any time of day. From pre-rolls and flower to carts and concentrates, KushMia offers nearly everything you need from a medicinal bud.
Get in touch with us for inquiries, and enjoy your medical marijuana worry and stress-free!
