Marijuana has been used as a recreational drug for decades now. In recent years, however, it has gained a lot of prominence in medicine due to its alleged health benefits. Today, the use of “medical marijuana” is more popular than ever.
What is medical marijuana?
Marijuana, or cannabis, is a schedule 1 controlled substance that has become the most commonly used illicit drug in the world. Medical marijuana, as the name suggests, refers to the use of this drug for medical purposes. The substance is derived from the cannabis plant, which contains chemicals known as cannabinoids.
With over 100 cannabinoids present, the two main components of marijuana are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Out of these, THC is the one that makes people “high” when they consume the drug.
The body contains its own cannabinoid chemicals which play a significant part in controlling body functionalities like memory, movement, appetite, pain, and other senses. The cannabinoids contained in medical cannabis have, therefore, been used to treat a variety of illnesses and conditions over the years. These include:
- Chronic pain
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Muscle spasms
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Crohn’s disease
- Schizophrenia
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety
Despite its proven proficiency in treating these conditions, the FDA has not recognized the cannabis plant as a medicine. Nevertheless, two pill-based FDA-approved medications that contain cannabinoids are available on the market. US federal law still prohibits the use of marijuana plants for either recreational or medical purposes, but many state laws have been amended over the years to allow its use.
States with legal medical and recreational marijuana
As of 2020, 33 states have legalized medical marijuana. It is also legal in the District of Columbia, and four out of five of the permanently occupied US territories. Depending on where you live, you can get approved for a medical marijuana card if you are a qualifying patient in the state. 14 states have limited THC content in medication while allowing the use of CBD because it is non-psychoactive. Out of the 33 states, 11 have legalized recreational marijuana as well.
Here is the list of states that have legalized the medical use of cannabis for those who possess a medical marijuana card:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
Out of these, the following states have legalized the use of marijuana for all purposes:
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Vermont
- Washington
Medical marijuana dispensaries in Michigan
The medical marijuana laws in Michigan have allowed the use of the drug since 2018. These laws allow patients to purchase 2.5 ounces of cannabis for the treatment of medical conditions such as the ones stated above. Here are a few of the best medical marijuana dispensaries in the state:
- Exclusive Ann Arbor: A top dispensary in Michigan, USA – located in Ann Arbor.
- Holistic Health Wayne: Located in Wayne, it is one of the top dispensaries in the USA.
- Green Genie Inc: Known for its immaculate customer service – located in Detroit.
- The REEF Detroit: Offers unbeatable product prices – located in Detroit.
Conclusion
The various effects of cannabis on the human body have proven to be medically useful. So, it is just a matter of time before medical marijuana is legal all over the USA.
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