How Does Medical Marijuana Work?

As more states pass laws that allow patients to use medical marijuana, dispensaries are popping up across the country – including right here in Ohio. With that said, there’s still plenty of people who don’t know what medical marijuana does, what it’s capable of, and who has the potential to benefit from it.

With this in mind, we thought it important to provide a brief education of what medical marijuana actually is. We’ll walk you through exactly how to purchase medical marijuana and why it can be helpful for patients.

How Do I Get Medical Marijuana?

The first step in the process is to locate a medical marijuana referring physician in Ohio. If the physician recommends medical marijuana, you can apply with the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy to obtain a state-issued medical card that will allow you to purchase medical marijuana from Ohio dispensaries.

After you’ve been approved for a medical marijuana card, your journey can begin at a safe, friendly and knowledgeable dispensary like Body and Mind Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Cleveland, OH. We’re proud to serve the Cleveland metropolitan area with trusted medical marijuana products.

What is Medical Marijuana? 

Medical marijuana is a plant made up of more than 100 active compounds, otherwise known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids act upon certain receptors on cells in our body, leading to different types of bodily effects. There are two major cannabinoids to take note of: CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the main psychoactive component fueling the feeling that patients experience when they use medical marijuana. CBD, on the other hand, features very few intoxicating properties.  

Popular ways to consume medical marijuana include: vaporizing flower, oil, or concentrate. Digesting it by way of oral or sublingual application or topically with a lotion or cream. The speed in which you feel the effects of medical marijuana will vary based on how you consume it. Vaping medical cannabis, for example, can have patients feeling the effects immediately or within a few minutes. If medical marijuana is consumed in edible form, effects can be delayed for as long as an hour or more.

A common problem that patients have is they end up consuming too much if they don’t feel the effects right away. When dealing with medical marijuana, it’s best to heed the following: start slow and low. Begin with a low dosage and wait to see how it affects you before deciding to take more. 

Is Medical Marijuana Safe?

Another question you may have: is medical marijuana safe to consume? Studies on the effectiveness of medical marijuana have yielded different results – while we understand medical marijuana has the capacity to help people relax and feel better, research has not given a clear answer on just how effective it can be.

If you’re interested in consuming medical marijuana for medical purposes or other products that contain cannabinoids, it’s important to speak with your doctor, especially if you have any preexisting conditions and need to know how your body handles reactions to certain products. Doctors can provide some helpful information to start and point you down paths that may be better for you.