What Is Medical Marijuana?

Over half of the United States and our nation’s capital have legalized the use of medical marijuana with more states considering bills to join in legalization. Medical marijuana uses the marijuana plant or chemicals in it to help treat various diseases and conditions. There are over 100 different chemicals in the plant, and each one has a different effect on the body. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main chemicals used to create medicinal marijuana.  

What is the difference between recreational and medical marijuana?

• Recreational: This marijuana is pot and is used without medical justification. The recreational marijuana has a higher THC content which produces the high feeling associated with marijuana. In 1906 all marijuana products were required to be labeled, and in 1931 marijuana was banned altogether. However, back in the 1890’s, marijuana was found in many medicines and was able to be purchased over the counter with no issue. 

• Medical: After being banned in the 1930’s in the United States, marijuana got a bad rap. Medicinal marijuana has less THC which alleviates the “high” factor and the CBD extracted from the plant does not leave you with any psychoactive effects. Medicinal marijuana can be recorded as far back as around the era of 2500 BC. A Chinese pharmacologist and emperor cited marijuana as a treatment for some diseases such as constipation, rheumatism, and gout. He did all the research on himself and realized the potential that marijuana had. 

Although the FDA does not recognize the healing properties that can be found in medical marijuana, it is still available for use if you have a medical marijuana card. Research is still being conducted to find and unlock all the potential healing powers that marijuana can have on our bodies. At Herbal Alternatives, we look forward to finding out what these studies and research will show and hopefully allow even more states the option to obtain medical marijuana easily for those who need it.

If you are already one step ahead of the researchers and realize the healing properties of medical marijuana and are in need of a great dispensary in DC, Herbal Alternatives is the dispensary for you. Contact us today to find out more information on medical marijuana and our dispensary as well.