sandigo blog: medical marijuana card San Diego

During the entire quarantine phase, people started taking up new hobbies like painting, workouts, dancing and many others to keep themselves occupied. But for people who use cannabis, the new hobby was cooking homemade edibles. Cooking with cannabis has been around for a long time but interest in it grew specifically in the time of lockdown. Don’t worry if you missed the party, you can always start making edibles at home right now.

With a medical marijuana card in San Diego, you can visit any dispensary across the city and buy yourself a bag of good quality cannabis buds. The next step is to choose a recipe, get in the kitchen, wear your apron and start cooking.

Before you begin, remember that you may not succeed in your first try. Cooking cannabis edibles isn’t easy but it doesn’t have to be daunting either. So here are a few tips that will help you make a start in your cooking expedition. 

Learn About The Strain You Will Use

Since you are basically beginning from scratch, the first step is to identify the strain you own or buy. Cannabis strains have varying chemical compositions which means that they will have different potencies as well. If you infuse your edible with cannabis without the knowledge of the strain type or chemical composition, you won’t be able to pinpoint the potency of your end product. For someone who uses cannabis for medical reasons, this uncertainty of potency can be risky. The level of THC and CBD content and type of terpene in your strain will help you decide the right dose for your edible.

When you are buying a strain for yourself, make sure that you are choosing one according to the effects you need. For example, if you want a strong euphoric high or sedative effects, go for high THC content. High CBD strains are more preferred by people who want the medicinal properties without a prevalent buzz.

You can always ask your budtender or seller at the dispensary to give you all the necessary details about the strain. It’s also best to do some research on your own on the internet. It will help you have a better idea about how to use cannabis and in what quantity. 

Decarboxylation is Necessary

One important step that beginners often miss out on while cooking with cannabis is the decarboxylation process. Your cannabis edibles won’t work if you infuse it with raw cannabis. It will be similar to consuming cannabis tasting food that delivers no effects. This is because raw cannabis does not contain the important cannabinoids THC and CBD that are responsible for all the therapeutic benefits. These cannabinoids are present in the form of cannabinoid acids instead. While THCA and CBDA have their own medicinal properties, they will not deliver the same effects as you would after smoking a joint or eating a store bought edible.

This is why decarboxylation is necessary. Cannabis is exposed to heat so that the cannabinoid acids turn into cannabinoids. It is not a very tricky process. You can even do it at home using your oven or microwave. Just remember to keep an eye on the cannabis while it is being decarboxylated because higher heat exposure can burn the cannabis and make it useless.

On the other hand, if you are using cannabis oil or concentrates for your edibles, you don’t have to worry about the decarboxylation process. 

Avoid Fine Grinding

You will have to grind your cannabis buds before using it in food. But there is a right and wrong way to do it.

The wrong way is grinding the cannabis too fine. Refrain yourself from grinding the buds in a food processor. An extra spin and the buds will turn into fine powder. It may sound like a good idea but you are only making the process harder. Because you are basically getting rid of the most important aspect of the buds- the trichomes. These are on the surface of the buds and not inside it. Also fine ground adds the chlorophyll into your food or infusion. It will make the end result turn a shade of green and even smell like a freshly mowed lawn. In addition to this, powdery cannabis buds become difficult to sift out from an infusion. The plant material will show up in every bite and ruin the taste.

The right way is to grind coarsely using a hand grinder. Once your buds are properly decarboxylated, grind it to a medium consistency and add it to your edible. 

Make an Infusion

If you are confused about which recipe to begin with, try making an infusion. Start by choosing a good quality base. The quality matters because it will only enhance the experience of your infusion. Your base can be anything, butter, olive oil, coconut oil, milk etc. Try using one that you will use on a regular basis. For example, olive oil infusion can replace your regular cooking oil. This way, you can turn any meal into a dose.

Once you choose a base, find a recipe for your infusion. You can easily find one online but only stick to reliable sources. For example, Leafly has a great collection of infusion recipes. From cannabutter to cannabis infused honey, you can find it all.

When using cannabis infusions, make sure that you stir it continuously while cooking. Also, give it a stir before using because cannabis tends to settle at the bottom after some time.

Do a Potency Check

Remember, cooking with cannabis requires attention and careful measurements. Because dosing with edibles can be tricky. And when you are making one yourself, dosing can become a strenuous task. So do proper research, consult a professional or your doctor and then put on your chef’s hat to begin the process.

Even with the most experienced people, getting an accurate dose of cannabis can be difficult. So as a beginner, the best option is to start slow and then do a potency check. Consume your edible and give it some time to show effects. If it’s not enough you can adjust accordingly later.

Potency check is also important to avoid guesswork. If you own a medical marijuana card in San Diego, you must be advised by your doctor to consume only a specific dose of cannabis at a time. So before you finally use your edibles to dose on cannabis, do a potency check to avoid any unwanted situations. 

Learn How To Use Raw Cannabis

If you are interested in exploring new areas with cannabis, try using it raw in your food. Cannabis has a high nutritional value. From dietary fiber and amino acids to vitamins and essential fatty acids, cannabis has it all. And let’s not forget about the cannabinoid acids THCA and CBDA. You can experience the benefits of each of these components by using raw cannabis.

Use the leaves or seeds in your regular salad. You can also convert it into a cold pressed juice or a smoothie with your favorite fruits and vegetables.

So, are you ready to take on a new hobby with homemade edibles? Great! Just remember to be responsible while cooking and using these edibles. It will take some time to perfect a recipe but until then go slow. And if you consider using it as a way of taking your daily dose, consult your doctor before you make a start.

A lot of people call cannabis a “magic herb.” And it’s not really surprising. In fact, the plant deserves a status no less than this. After all, it helps people deal with so many different medical conditions, including pain, inflammation, anxiety, etc.

But do you know cannabis may also help people with post-traumatic stress disorder?

Not a new thing?

I agree. Marijuana, in fact, is being used as a self-medicating drug for this condition for the past many years. However, due to the illegal status of the drug for so long, the studies in its favor have actually emerged very recently, after the legalization of cannabis. And these studies have tempted a whole new set of patients to apply for a marijuana card. 

But is the herb really that effective for PTSD? 

Well, the studies are quite positive. So, let’s see how the cannabis plant may help people fight the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Understanding the Condition

Before we get on to how cannabis may help you with the condition, let’s first understand what this condition itself is.

PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a condition that is a result of having an experience with something extremely dangerous or shocking. In other words, if a person goes through something very traumatic, such as a near-death experience or the demise of a loved one, etc., they may develop this condition. Such events, in many cases, may trigger the natural defense system of the body, which leads to the development of a “fight or flight” response. Though, in most cases, the response is quite short-lived, sometimes, this may live on for a long time after the traumatic event. This is what we know as PTSD.

However, you should note that not all traumatic experiences result in PTSD. And not every person with such experience develops this condition.

Symptoms of PTSD

The symptoms of PTSD may start showing themselves within a period of three months after the event. However, it may sometimes take several years to develop completely.

Here are a few symptoms that a person with PTSD usually has:

• One or more re-experiencing symptoms, such as frightening thoughts, bad dreams, flashbacks, etc. These may also include some physical symptoms, such as sweating or heart racing.
• One or more avoidance symptoms, such as keeping a distance from an object or a place that may remind the person of the traumatic event.
• Two or more reactivity symptoms, such as feeling tense, difficulty in sleeping, getting startled easily, etc.
• Two or more mood and cognition symptoms. For example, thinking negatively about oneself, feeling of guilt, or not being able to remember certain things, etc.

If these symptoms persist for more than one month, the person may have PTSD.

Why Not to Use Pharmaceuticals for PTSD?

The typical treatment of PTSD includes a combination of medicines and therapy. And the most commonly used medications include antidepressants, such as Paxil, Zoloft, and Prozac. These drugs usually work on PTSD by increasing the serotonin level inside the brain.

However, according to some experts, these drugs may not be as effective as thought to be. They say that though the response rate of these pharmaceutical drugs is around 60 percent in PTSD patients, the percentage of patients who actually get complete relief is quite low comparatively (20 to 30 percent). Furthermore, these pharmaceutical drugs have several unwanted side effects too, including nausea, headache, drowsiness, and sexual dysfunction, etc.

Many doctors say that we don’t have a true idea of what is the best conventional treatment for PTSD. And several experts say that PTSD patients who consume cannabis usually get a better relief as compared to pharmaceutical drugs. 

Medical Marijuana for PTSD

So, should you apply for an MMJ card for managing PTSD? Well, the data suggests so. 

As per the reports until now, a lot of PTSD patients have seen positive results from using cannabis for their condition. But let’s not focus on this anecdotal evidence right now, and turn to something concrete. 

In a study conducted in 2009 on 80 PTSD patients, it was found that after giving cannabis, the participants saw an improvement of at least 75 percent in their symptoms. 

A review published in 2015 in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacists also concluded that there are a number of military veterans who use cannabis to manage their PTSD symptoms. And many of them reported a significant reduction in their anxiety levels and insomnia. Furthermore, cannabis also helped them improve their coping capabilities.

How Cannabis Helps PTSD Patients?

As per the research on the subject, there is a link between PTSD and anandamide, a cannabinoid compound that can be considered your body’s natural antidepressant. A person with PTSD often has a very low level of anandamide as compared to a healthy individual. And when the level of anandamide is low, it may result in increased anxiety, chronic fear, and many other symptoms.

According to the studies, anandamide triggers the exact same receptors in the brain that THC, a famous cannabis compound, does. And this is the reason why cannabis helps people with PTSD. In the absence of anandamide, when a person consumes cannabis, the THC binds with the CB1 receptors inside the brain. This helps the patient decrease the feeling of sadness and threat, and improves their brain function.

Cannabis and Nightmares

Nightmares are also one of the major symptoms of PTSD, with more than 50 percent of military veterans experiencing these. And here too, the pharmaceutical drugs have shown the mixed results at best. On the other hand, recent studies suggest that some specific compounds of cannabis may help PTSD patients reduce these incidences of nightmares. 

One of the most compelling proofs comes from a clinical trial in Canada, which used a synthetic cannabinoid called nabilone for the purpose. The results of the trial suggest that out of all the PTSD patients who were given nabilone during the study, around 72 percent experienced either a complete halt or at least a significant reduction in their nightmare intensity. Some even saw an improvement in their sleep time and the quality of sleep.

Final Thoughts

The above evidence clearly suggest that cannabis may be helpful for people with PTSD. However, if you are thinking of getting a medical marijuana card for this condition, we recommend you consult a qualified doctor first. Cannabis is a very useful yet complicated drug. And thus, before trying it out, it’s better to seek professional advice. Once your doctor is satisfied that it may help you, you may apply for an MMJ card anytime you want.