Thinking of using cannabis for your medical condition? Well, there couldn’t be a better time to begin the journey. With everything evolving and telemedicine taking over the traditional routes, you don’t have to leave your home anymore. Just search for a ‘medical marijuana card near me’ and you will find expert guidance through your phone’s screen.
But before you get excited and apply for an MMJ card, it’s best to be prepared and introduce yourself to the basic aspects of medical marijuana.
Cannabis isn’t like your other medications. It requires the consumer to have the right knowledge about the herb so that the medication does what it is meant to do- provide therapeutic relief. So, here is a list of some basic terms that will help you get through your cannabis treatment without any confusion or complications.
Cannabis Strains
You cannot just enter a store and generally ask for cannabis. That’s because cannabis does not have a single type. The budtender will ask you for your strain preference. These strains can be better understood as different species of cannabis plants.
Over the years, many cannabis cultivators have bred different cannabis types to meet the requirements of the people. So whether you want to sleep better or improve your energy levels for your workout, there is a cannabis strain for your requirement. These strains differ in their chemical compositions which make them affect the body differently.
Cannabis strains are broadly of three types: Indica, Sativa and Hybrids. You can choose either according to the effects your medical condition requires.
Endocannabinoid System
I bet you would want to know how exactly this green herb works to help with such diverse medical conditions. To understand the working of cannabis, you need to understand the endocannabinoid system.
Our body’s endocannabinoid system is made up of CB receptors that are spread all across the body. This system works to maintain an optimum balance of all functions in the body. The chemicals found in cannabis called the cannabinoids enter the body and activate the CB receptors to produce all the therapeutic effects including euphoria.
THC and CBD
Cannabis has more than 400 different types of chemicals. But, the cannabinoids are the most known ones. Cannabis has a variety of cannabinoids but the two known and well-researched cannabinoids are THC and CBD.
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the intoxicating chemical of cannabis. Along with medicinal properties, THC is responsible for causing the feeling of intoxication. So, the higher the level of THC in a cannabis strain, the higher is the potency and ‘high’.
CBD or cannabidiol is the non-intoxicating cannabinoid. It delivers all the medicinal properties but without any high.
Microdosing
The most important step for using medical cannabis is microdosing. You must remember that with cannabis, less is more. That’s because cannabis produces biphasic effects. In simple words, a low dose of cannabis will be therapeutic while a higher dose may worsen your medical condition. The biphasic effect of cannabis is most prominently observed in anxiety patients. While a low dose relaxes the consumer, a higher dose worsens the anxiety and other factors.
This is why micro dosing is important. It is the rule of consuming low doses of cannabis at a slow pace. Start with a low amount of cannabis and observe the effects before increasing or decreasing your dose.
Trichomes
Trichomes are the tiny jelly like protrusions on the surface of the cannabis buds. They are usually transparent, milky white or amber in color, depending on their maturity. Trichomes are the most important part of the cannabis plant. That’s because these tiny bulbs are the storehouse of cannabinoids. So, the higher the number of trichomes on your buds, the better the quality. It is also a good way to identify between good and bad quality cannabis buds.
Cannabis Dispensary
Since the legalization of medical cannabis, every legal state has a number of stores that sell cannabis products and all accessories. These are called cannabis dispensaries. They are registered with the state and abide by all the quality standards and marijuana laws of the government. You can use your medical card to buy cannabis from a cannabis dispensary.
Now that you have some idea about the basic cannabis terms, you understand the doctor better, ask them questions about your treatment and even make the right purchase according to your needs. So, go ahead and apply for your medical marijuana card and start your journey to a better life.