Are you wondering what the medical marijuana laws in your country are and whether or not you are eligible for a medical marijuana card?
These are some of the main questions on people’s minds when it comes to the use of medical marijuana, along with a few more surrounding the type of products they can use, the conditions and illnesses they can treat with cannabis and more.
The rules can vary a lot from one country/state to another, so in order to understand and respect them, you’ll need to get more familiar with how the laws are regulated in your particular state, or the state you’re visiting.
What is Medical Marijuana?
The main difference between medical and recreational marijuana is that medical marijuana is used to treat various illnesses and medical conditions, while recreational marijuana is used solely for enjoyment, recreation and getting high.
With conditions such as anxiety, depression, cancer, PTSD, epilepsy and chronic pain that have been successfully treated with medicinal cannabis, we’ve begin to uncover the true powers of this herb, and are continuing to implement it in many other treatments as well.
What Can Medical Marijuana Be Used For?
Medical marijuana can be used in the treatment of numerous different health problems and conditions. It has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years now, and over time, we’ve began to discover how far its benefits really go.
The amount of health benefits associated with the use of medical marijuana is enormous. Cannabis has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and has been proven to be effective in:
- Relieving pain
- Reducing and eliminating muscle spasms
- Alleviating the symptoms of Dravet’s Syndrome
- Improving lung capacity
- Fighting off cancer
- Treating glaucoma
- Controlling and reducing epileptic seizures
- Decreasing anxiety and more
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card
Since the laws can differ a lot from one state to another, the first thing you’ll need to do is check your state’s list of medical conditions which qualify you for a medical marijuana or MMJ card.
Cannabis is often prescribed to patients suffering from anxiety, chronic pain, cancer and other debilitating ailments that affect the person’s quality of life. Each state has its own list of conditions which qualify you for the card, so once you see if your condition is on the list, you’ll need to get evaluated and verified by a physician who can authorize you as a valid medical marijuana patient.
Note that in some states, physicians are allowed to prescribe medical marijuana for other conditions that are not listed on the states qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card.
Once you get authorized as a medical marijuana patient, you can get access to dispensaries where you can buy medical grade cannabis.
It’s also important to note that although not all states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes, there are some conditions, like cancer, autism, chronic pain, PTSD, epilepsy, glaucoma or HIV/AIDS which can qualify you to get access to medical marijuana in virtually any state.
Medical Marijuana FAQ
In an attempt to make things a bit easier for those of you who are new to medical marijuana and cannabis in general, we’ve compiled a short list of some of the most frequently asked questions on the topic, so let’s begin!
Q: Can you travel with medical marijuana to another state?
A: The short answer would be NO, both within the US and abroad. However, if you are travelling between states that have both legalized marijuana, it’s best to check with the airport and ask about their practices in such cases. You should also carry a copy of your medical card and familiarize yourself with the amount restrictions that will likely be in place.
Q: What illnesses and conditions can get you on the medical marijuana list?
A: The list of illnesses and conditions vary from state to state so it’s always best to check the list of approved conditions in your state to see if you qualify for a medical marijuana card.
Q: Can you pick the type of product or strain you want yourself?
A: How you take your medical marijuana or in what form you take it is completely up to you, although your doctor will help you figure out your correct dosage and the type of product that would work best for your particular situation.
Q: How do you take medical marijuana?
A: There are a few different ways in which you can take medical marijuana. Those include: smoking it, inhaling it, eating it, taking it sublingually (under the tongue) and applying it on your skin in the form of topicals.
Q: Is medical marijuana addictive?
A: Research shows that if taken according to the recommended doses, medical marijuana has a very low risk of addiction. However, the main concern between cannabis use and addiction is with heavy users of the herb, which have demonstrated to develop a psychological dependence of it. Thankfully, CBD oil has shown a lot of positive outcomes in the treatment of such cases.
Q: Is medical marijuana safe for everyone to take?
A: Although it has much fewer side effects from many other medications, some patients can experience: nausea, dizziness, fast heartbeat and changes in blood pressure, hallucinations, dry mouth and bloodshot eyes. That’s why it’s important to always talk to your physician first and get an assessment so that you can find out if you qualify for a medical marijuana card and whether or not it is safe for you to use cannabis as treatment for your condition.
