medical marijuana card

5 Benefits Of Getting Your Medical Marijuana Card

Application approval on a medical marijuana card takes only 10-minutes. Yet, it benefits in a lot of ways. Today, around the world, millions of individuals are experiencing at least one physical or mental block. Unfortunately, many would have various disorders. This population either looks toward the state to support them in their crisis or pursue alternative ways to reduce pain. Especially for seniors, it is challenging to survive separation anxiety and bowel disorders. For the younger generation, it’s stress and insomnia which not only take a toll on your health but your overall well-being.

To help individuals in pain, depression, stress, and anxiety, the pharma doctors prescribe medications. But, for those who want herbal alternatives, there is medical marijuana. The ongoing ‘cannabis legalization is a fast-paced and dynamically changing global campaign. As the moment turns every day, more allies pooled in and made the ‘cannabis industry’ one of the fastest-growing sectors. Now, cannabusiness handles employees’ salary, business revenue, and an attraction factor of hundreds of brands and a case study for tens of advocates.

What is the Medical Marijuana Card?

It’s a state-issued card, medical marijuana doctors prescribed for patients with conditions. A medical marijuana card enables cultivating cannabis for medical use. Sometimes, marijuana cards work like medical marijuana identification(MMID), and also known as medical marijuana (MMJ). The complete marijuana therapy can go from a few weeks to two years, which essentially means you have to drive multiple trips to dispensaries. Otherwise, you can learn and grow the allowed number of marijuana plants at home.

5 Benefits Of MMJ

Getting a medical marijuana card takes a prescription from a verified doctor. There is a statewide change in the laws, so you must first seek cannabis legality in your state.

Low Costs

The idea behind legalizing marijuana is to make it more available to the public. In a population with a mixed scale of earning, it is invariably challenging to set a standard price. There you have to pay a small amount fee to get a medical marijuana card. Once medical marijuana was legalized, taxes on the product also went up. But the government is holding prices under regulation to support accessibility.

Growing at home

The beginning of wide acceptance is bringing forward a lot of restrictions. For example, there is strictly a limitation on the purchase of recreational marijuana, whereas the medical marijuana cardholder can get much more quantity. There is a statewide modification, medical marijuana cardholders get up to 8 ounces in a day, whereas recreational users can apply only for 1 ounce a day. That said, growing at home also demands a lot of arrangement, but it’s cost-effective in the long run.

Age Restrictions

Medical marijuana follows some pre-existing norms. In most states, be at least 21 years old to possess and consume cannabis. Similar to the allowed age for consuming hard drinks and alcohol. For minors, it’s still illegal. However, for medical patients and medical marijuana cardholders, the minimum age requirement falls to 18 or above. Although, in cannabis law development, there have been few cases where children under 18 were given access to medical marijuana cards.

Complete access

Leveraging medical marijuana cards gives you access to a variety of strains. Some dispensaries have an array of strains containing Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid strains. They have professional bud-tenders delivering professional support in dispensaries. Since cannabis extracts are complex, their potencies, and benefits, are very different. Only an experienced budtender will assist you to find out the right cannabis strain for your condition.

Stronger Potency

A lot of new higher potency strains have surfaced in recent years. The strains used for treating conditions have a much higher potency as compared to the buds used for recreational purposes. If we take the example of California, the edible can contain 100mg of THC whereas in lotion it can go up to 1000mg. Almost all dispensaries have lotions, for example, up to 2000mg.

One More Benefit

Legal Protection is one of the most important reasons individuals are switching to medical marijuana. The card application takes less than 10-15 minutes. Once upon holding a card, the holder can exercise his/her right under Proposition 215 and cultivate or use cannabis for medical treatment. An MMJ backs up the holder if you are traveling to other states.

3 Easy Strains To Grow For Beginners

Blue Dreams: A good cannabis strain strikes a balance between physical and mental relaxation. For an easy-to-find hybrid and relief from aches and low-mood go with blue dreams.
Green Crack: Another go-to strain with a perfect blend of uplifting high and gentle ‘high’. It’s easy to grow but difficult to findSativa-dominant strains. You can identify it from its sweet citrus aroma.
GG4: Overall it’s a great choice and award-winning hybrid. The THC content in this one can up to 20%. It’s definitely not for beginners. GG4 induces a heavy euphoria and ‘couch lock’ feeling.

Medical Marijuana and Pandemic 2.0

The recent spike in coronavirus is once again becoming a cause of increased worry and stress. Among the population with mental and physical blocks, it’s another year of taking complete precautions. Luckily, the process of medical marijuana cards has shifted to online realms. So, you can now get a card without stepping out. All you need is a smartphone or laptop with the internet to get connected with medical marijuana doctors. Since doctors won’t be seeing patients in a physical setting, it’s a good idea to have online facilities to help patients. Within the easily available guides, you can find out a strategy or method to grow in-house plants for regular use.

Top 5 Reasons To Get A Medical Marijuana Card

Patients often have a question, Why should I get an MMJ card, if its medical use is legal in their state? This is because it is still a Schedule I drug. So, patients have to register themselves to legally access it.

Thinking about the risks involved with carrying marijuana without a card in most states, it is better to get an MMJ card to legally possess and purchase medical marijuana. It gives the patients authorization to shop from the state-certified medical marijuana dispensaries. And, the best way to find them is on a non-commercial website, as they have a good network of medical marijuana patients who regularly review the dispensaries.

Here are some compelling reasons due to which you should get a medical marijuana card.

Safer Medication

Not everyone knows that there are around 20% chances of a negative reaction to prescription medication. And, around 2 million people are hospitalized after being prescribed medicines by their doctors, which is tragic.

Medical marijuana is a safe substitute for all these medications and no cases of its side effects have been reported. Every state follows stringent testing and safety requirements to ensure good quality medical marijuana products are provided to the consumers. They also ensure there are no heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, microbes, microbial toxins, and other harmful contaminants in medical marijuana.

Some states have also employed proper tracking systems for safe customer access to various medical marijuana products. Taking a step further, some dispensaries offer in-house flowers for medical and recreational users. This has raised the bar and provided people access to organically grown marijuana plants. It has been proved to be great medicine to manage the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), seizure disorders, alzheimer’s, cancer, and various other health issues.

Saves Money

If your condition falls in the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in your state, then you will save a lot with money with the MMJ card. The cost of getting a card varies between $50 to $150, which is valid for at least a year. and, the cost of renewal is comparatively less.

The patients would be surprised to see the difference in the price of the medicinal and recreational marijuana products. Considering all the taxes, medical marijuana users tend to save up to 30-40% on every purchase, which makes a huge amount if you buy medical marijuana supply regularly.

Moreover, if you are looking for a cost-friendly alternative to your prescription drugs, medical marijuana is a good option. It will also eliminate their debilitating side effects and improves the overall quality of life.

Legal Protection

Many of the patients getting MMJ cards are suffering from chronic health conditions. They apply for it while seeking a safer alternative to deal with their health issues. Like prescription medications, medical marijuana does not have any side effects.

An MMJ card gives the patients access to buy it legally from licensed dispensaries. They also reduce the dependency on pain medicines. Apart from providing relief from troubling symptoms, it has been linked with complete recovery.

A medical marijuana card adds to the credibility of patients using medical marijuana. It is a proof that they have a legitimate reason to consume medical marijuana. And, having one also puts the judgments passed by different people at rest.

More Choices

You will have to be ambitious while going to a dispensary to buy a marijuana product from the dispensary. Seeing the available options of medical marijuana products at the state-licensed dispensary, you may get confused. Moreover, you can smell or even taste the products to choose the right product for getting relief from certain symptoms.

Not everyone gets the opportunity to try quality products for the “medicinal” benefit offered in the market, but with an MMJ card, you get access to quality products at nominal prices.

If you have never gone to a state-licensed dispensary, getting an MMJ card is a great opportunity to buy a product after learning about it everything. Most of the dispensaries have a good range of edibles, tinctures, topical treatments available in different marijuana strains. Getting to choose is a great way to buy something according to your preference.

Dispensary Experience

Though there are some limitations regarding the type and potency of products, medical marijuana patients get access to a variety of quality marijuana products. Especially cancer patients get access to highly potent products after getting a medical marijuana card. Most of the recreational products have a lower content of THC and CBD as compared to medical patients.

Moreover, some states also offer to skip the line to the medical patients for faster access. In the last few years, medical marijuana laws have been relaxed significantly which has positively impacted the healthcare system and our economy.

Some rules limit the type and potency of products, but you will get good quality and highly potent products at dispensaries. And, the budtenders will help you in selecting the right strain to get relief from certain conditions. The cannabinoids present in it are quite helpful in tackling certain health conditions

Conclusion

Several benefits come with getting a medical marijuana card. So do your research to select the most suitable consumption method to reap maximum benefit from medical marijuana. And, if your condition falls on the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana, getting an MMJ card is not difficult. Apply now to get started with the process.

Cooking With Medical Cannabis: Tips For Homemade Edibles

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.

How does Marijuana Help with PTSD?

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.