What is marijuana?
Marijuana and hemp both are derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant. The marijuana plant has several features which distinguish it from the hemp plant, but the most notable is the level of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.
THC is the cannabinoid which contains the psychoactive properties responsible for the euphoric high feeling. Additionally, THC also has many healing properties. Whereas a hemp plant has less than .3% THC a marijuana plant will have between .5 and 30% depending on the strain.
Medical Cannabis or Medical Marijuana is a strain of marijuana used to treat a condition or illness or particular symptoms of that disease. Great care and research have gone into developing hemp and marijuana strains for specific ailments and populations such as children.
Marijuana may be ingested through smoking, taken orally through pills, edibles, or tinctures or it may also be administered topically in the form of oil or lotion.
How Medical Marijuana Works
Marijuana works at the cellular level through the Endocannabinoid System or ECS. ECS is made up of individual endocannabinoids or small acidic molecules running throughout the body.
The major function of the ECS is to maintain health and balance. Often, however, there are genetic components which alter the functionality of the ECS such as autoimmune diseases.
Other negative influence such as poor diet, alcohol, and drug abuse may lead to a poorly operating ECS.
Marijuana and THC are ideal for stimulating the Endocannabinoid System since the cannabis plant has the same system referred to as phytocannabinoids.
ECS was not discovered until the 1980s while researching why marijuana and hemp seemed to help so many conditions where other treatments failed. Medical Marijuana reduces pain, inflammation and in some instances may even halt the progression of a disease, such as cancer.
Conditions Alleviated by Marijuana
Since the THC and other cannabinoids in marijuana reduce inflammation and pain marijuana is often used to treat the following conditions:
• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Autoimmune conditions such as fibromyalgia and Lupus
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Colitis
• Depression and mental disorders
• Epilepsy
• HIV/AIDS
• MS
• Obesity
• PMS
If you are suffering from any of these conditions it may be beneficial to have a discussion with your healthcare professional about the possibility of medical marijuana or hemp treatment.
Legal Issues
Marijuana is legal for both medicinal and recreational use in four states: Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii.
The use of medicinal marijuana is currently legal in 24 four states with pending legislation in several more states.
Various statutory provisions are depending on the state when it comes to obtaining a Medical Marijuana License. Many states still limit medical marijuana usage to specific conditions and extreme levels of pain. Some doctors stay away from getting a marijuana license because of the legal requirement in their state to exhaust all other forms or treatment first.
With Provision 215 passing in 1996, California became the first state in legalizing medical marijuana. Physicians are more likely to obtain a Medical Marijuana License California since they are offered more protection through the Medical Board of California.
Proposition 420, also referred to as the “Compassionate Act” also provides legal leniencies for those cultivating marijuana for healing and medicinal purposes.
The provisions for prescribing marijuana are more lenient in California than in some other states, for example, the doctors do not have to try all other medications and treatments before prescribing marijuana.
The basic requirements besides a CA Medical License for recommending and continuing marijuana treatment for a patient are an annual physical and in the case of a minor patient, educating the parents on possible risks before obtaining written permission.
Additionally, doctors and marijuana providers must inform patients that they should not drive when under the influence of marijuana.
Obtaining a Medical Marijuana Card in California
There are different regulations in each state that has legalized medical marijuana for getting a Medical Marijuana Card or purchasing products online or a dispensary.
In California, it is relatively easy to get a weed card in LA. But it is illlegal to receive your MM card online. You need follow the proper procedure.
• Get a referral from your Family Doctor with a medical license California.
• Research online providers to submit your recommendation and receive a physician recommendation. 420 Evaluations is highly regarded for their physician and dispensary referrals.
• You will be expected to pass an ID check and questioned to verify you have an appropriate attitude about the usage of marijuana.
• Once you have seen a qualified physician, you will obtain your Medical Marijuana Card which will allow you to receive the product online or through a licensed Medical Marijuana Dispensary in person.
Related:
Marijuana Legalization – Tax On Cannabis, Is It Legal To Grow Marijuana?
