Every state in the US with legalized marijuana has come up with laws dictating its use and acquisition. Many states have legalized marijuana for various purposes, including recreational and medical use. The Food and Drug Administration in the US has approved marijuana for medicinal purposes. They aim at treating severe cases of epilepsy, drug addiction, and chronic pain control, to mention a few. They come in many forms, such as vape carts.

What Is Medical Medicinal Marijuana?

Medical marijuana is extracted from a dried marijuana plant. Since ancient times, humans have always used plants for relief and treatment purposes. In the United States, the federal government considers the drug illegal. However, the Food and Drug Administration, an agency set up to regulate food and medicines in the country, has approved a drug derived from marijuana. Epidiolex, a drug derived from Cannabidiol, is used to treat seizure disorders.

A chemical found within the marijuana plant is used to treat certain diseases and conditions. The marijuana plant contains Cannabidiol chemicals that have particular effects on the human body. In drug manufacture, the main chemicals used are cannabinoids and the Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The chemical that causes a “high” feeling after consumption is the THC.

Has FDA Approved The Use Of Medical Marijuana?

In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved Cannabidiol Epidiolex. The drug treats rare and severe epilepsy conditions, namely the Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. In addition, the FDA has also approved two more cannabinoid drugs, namely Dronabinol and Nabilone. The drugs help to relieve nausea and vomiting that chemotherapy patients experience.

Uses

They have carried extensive research to determine the effectiveness of medicinal marijuana in treating various conditions. Conditions that may require a prescription of marijuana include:

Glaucoma
Epilepsy
Cancer
Chronic pain
Nausea
Alzheimer’s disease
Anorexia disorder
Crohn’s disease
Schizophrenia

There is no conclusive evidence that marijuana helps treat or control the diseases mentioned above and disorders. However, there are some shreds of evidence that show the therapeutic effects of marijuana. For instance, marijuana helps to reduce chronic pain, nausea experienced after chemotherapy, and even decreasing tightness and stiffness of muscles.

How It Works

Medical marijuana uses active chemicals known as cannabinoids. They are like chemicals in the human body that secretes chemicals to help in movement, pain management, memory, and appetite boost. In addition, extensive research has revealed that when consumed, the cannabinoids will help in the following.

Anxiety reduction
Pain relief and reduced inflammation
Killing cancer cells
Relaxation of tightened muscles
Appetite stimulation
Slowing growth of tumors

FDA recently approved the use of Epidiolex manufactured using Cannabidiol. The drug helps control seizures in children and adults. The drug gets administered for therapy on people with severe seizure attacks. After continuous use of the drug, some patients have shown a substantial drop in seizure episodes.

Benefits

Increased consumption of marijuana is harmful as it may lead to dependency and addiction. However, controlled consumption has many benefits on the human body, according to research. Here are the primary advantages of using medical marijuana.

1. Mental Wellness

Research results show that medical marijuana makes people more creative. Patients who consume the drug have shown an increase in verbal fluency. The drug also helps fight addiction, and people who have used it have withdrawn from alcohol and hard drugs like heroin.

2. It Helps With The Central Nervous System

Marijuana has chemicals useful in relieving pain and inflammation in the central nervous system. For example, Tetrahydrocannabinol is a chemical found in marijuana that triggers the brain to release dopamine. Dopamine chemical gives people a feeling of “high,” which helps improve their moods.

3. Respiratory System

One way of consuming weed is through smoking. A study has shown that inhaling and exhaling smoke helps a person train their lungs. As a result, it enables the patient’s lungs to get stronger and perform efficiently.

4. Digestive System

Marijuana is beneficial for cancer patients going through chemotherapy. When consumed, it helps them ease nausea and reduce vomiting and stomach upsets. In addition, regular consumption helps to increase appetite, which is helpful to a cancer patient going through appetite and weight loss.

How Is It Consumed?

Patients who get prescription to use medical marijuana can consume the drug using the methods listed below:

Smoking
Eating in cookies or brownies
Put a few drops of its liquid form under the tongue
Inhalation through the vaporizer as mist
Applying lotion, cream, oil, or spray made from marijuana direct to the skin

Side Effects

Just like any other drug approved for human consumption, marijuana has a few reported side effects. Some people will not experience any side effects, while some will have mild to severe side effects. The following are some side effects patients who consume medical marijuana should look out for.

Fastened heart rate
Dizziness
Hallucinating
Low blood pressure
Depression
Bloodshot eye
Sadness/Over excitements

Research shows that medical marijuana may affect a person’s coordination and judgment. Therefore, the patients should avoid operating heavy machinery or driving after consuming the drug. In addition, if the patient is a teenager, there may be slow brain development, mental function, and their IQ might get affected.

Getting Medical Marijuana

For a patient to get medical marijuana in states where the drug is legal, they will need a written prescription from a licensed doctor. In addition, the patient must get tested and found with the condition that qualifies them for the medication. Across the country, various states have established specific regulations and requirements that allow patients to be eligible for the prescription.

For example, in some states, a patient must have a Marijuana identification card that they should produce at medical Marijuana stores known as Dispensaries. States have also put these regulations to ensure people do not abuse the medical drug and make sure it helps as many patients as possible.