Firstly, you’re going to need a medical marijuana card in most states. Secondly it can easily be argued that all marijuana use is medicinal or for health & wellness. Why? Simply because, even if you are using cannabis for the euphoric “high”, you are still getting the benefits of all the cannabinoids and terpenoids from the plant. The cannabidiol (CBD), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), caryophyllene, bisabolol etc. are all still doing their jobs and reducing inflammation, busting stress and helping put the endocannabinoid system (ECS) back into order.
As such, there is no one strict, definite way of taking marijuana as medicine – at least, not yet, anyway.. Now you have that here are some suggestions for taking marijuana as medicine …
Go for Whole Plant Extracts
If you’re looking at tinctures and the like, it is best to go for ones that have been made as a whole plant extract. This means all of the plant’s natural cannabinoids, terpenoids and flavonoids are kept, rather than being “stripped” for a particular cannabinoid (often CBD), and then having artificial flavors and synthesized terpenes added afterwards.
The reason for this is simple: isolated compounds are generally less effective, and having various cannabinoids and terpenoids helps the main cannabinoid you’re seeking do its job properly. There is some evidence showing that crude plant extracts have greater in vitro and/or in vivo activity than isolated compounds at equivalent doses. Jayden’s Juice and the tinctures made by CannaKids are great examples of high-quality whole plant extracts. Vaping flowers is also a good way of utilizing cannabinoids effectively.
You Don’t Have to Smoke …
Although there is no evidence linking cannabis smoke to cancer, it is understandable that many would want to avoid smoking, especially as cannabinoids and terpenoids can be lost vias combustion. Nowadays we have edibles, tinctures, topicals and a whole host of smoke-free ingestion methods.
However, it must be said: smoking cannabis can often be less overwhelming than edibles, and for some smoking it really is the best way of getting medicated. As everybody has a different constitution, some ways of taking marijuana are more effective than others. Edibles also take a long time to kick in, so the temptation to take more thinking, “This isn’t having any effect” is huge.
Go Slow …
Remember: you can always take more, but you can’t take less. Should this be your first time using medical marijuana, it is advisable to try out vaporizing first, as the dosage is easy to control. Just take one puff on a vape pen or whatever other type of vaporizer you’re using, wait 10-15 mins, then dose again. Build up slowly, and get a gauge of where your tolerance lies.
Should you want to go with edibles – and many people do due to discretion and their long-lasting effects – microdosing is ideal, and tinctures can provide similarly effective relief in a much more controllable manner. For those with aching muscles, there are medical marijuana-based topical creams out now as well!
Mood and Setting
Medical marijuana is best taken in a place where you’re most relaxed and comfortable. For many people, this is their own homes, which is a good thing, as this is the most discrete way of consuming cannabis as well.
Eating Properly
Granted, many of you will be using medical marijuana in order to get the munchies and be able to sit down for a proper meal, especially if you’ve been prescribed harsh drugs that can kill appetite or you’re going through chemotherapy. However, as with most things in life, using marijuana is possibly best done on a full stomach. Your energy levels are less likely to dissipate this way and the effects won’t be as overwhelming.
Take Note of Cannabinoid and Terpenoid Concentrations …
… As this is what will tell you the sort of effect a strain is likely to have, rather than the strain name or even its parentage (although the genetics do have an effect, but it’s a rough measure at best). Also, as everyone has a different ECS, different cannabinoid concentrations will treat different people differently!
For example, whilst most people seem to report a 1:1 CBD:THC ratio, others might find such a ratio to have no effect whatsoever. Those people will have to find their ideal ratio. Another thing to remember is that people often prefer different cannabinoid ratios for different times of day or for different environments. You might prefer a CBD-heavy indica for sleep and a THC-heavy sativa for socializing, whereas a 1:1 CBD:THC helps you keep functional and pain-free throughout the day.
Hopefully, this article has helped you clear up any questions on how to take marijuana as medicine. Should you wish to learn more, head on over to doctorfrank.com!
