(Newswire.net — June 15, 2020) — Medical marijuana has become increasingly popular in the last few years. Cannabis became legal in many states in the US, as well as around the world. The market is booming, but according to cannabis statistics, 87% of total sales revenue comes from the illicit market. According to predictions, legal sales will reach $22 billion by 2022, while the entire cannabis market will be worth $73.6 billion in 2027.
While recreational marijuana can be bought in cannabis shops or on websites that offer cannabis deals, you need to have a medical cannabis card to buy medical marijuana. Different states in the US have different ways of applying for a medical cannabis card. Once you’ve obtained one, you can visit a licensed dispensary. You’ll be able to buy three different types of cannabis or cannabis products, depending on your needs:
- Cannabis sativa (a natural antidepressant);
- Cannabis indica (for pain management);
- CBD oil (acts as an antipsychotic).
Smoking and Vaping Medical Marijuana
Smoking may be one of the most straightforward ways of consuming medical marijuana, but vaping may be a better option. When you smoke cannabis, you burn the flower, which creates a higher number of harmful chemicals and irritants for your lungs compared to vaping.
Vaping also provides subtler taste and doesn’t cause the odor to stay on clothes or furniture. If you opt for vaping, make sure to invest in a high-quality reusable vaporizer and pay special attention to the content of vape oils, as they shouldn’t contain cannabinoid solvents like propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol.
Cannabis Edibles
While eating marijuana has been a norm since 1000 BCE, raw cannabis won’t have the same effect as consuming cannabis edibles. Raw cannabis contains tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). These compounds need to be heated up to activate. Therefore, it’s best to consume cannabis in the form of gummies, candies, or baked goods. Marijuana edibles are an excellent option for those who can’t or don’t want to smoke it. Edibles are also a healthier option since there’s no exposure to carbon, tar, and other carcinogens.
Lotions, Sprays, and Oils
Topical medical marijuana can also be used to treat various health conditions. Salves and creams don’t have any psychoactive properties, meaning that you can’t get high. Medical marijuana topicals are most commonly used to relieve pain, but they also have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Topical medical marijuana can be used to treat the following conditions:
- Stings and bites
- Sunburn
- Migraine
- Rheumatism
- Swelling after an injury
- Muscle soreness
Conclusion
Many people around the globe are grateful because they can finally use marijuana to alleviate the symptoms of their illnesses. Those who have the medical cannabis card can visit a registered dispensary and purchase the right medical cannabis product to help them with their health issues.
Medical marijuana is most commonly consumed by smoking or vaping, followed by edibles, lotions, and oils. More studies will be done in the future, but the variety of products on the market speaks volumes about the power and versatility of medical marijuana.