As you’ve no doubt already heard, on Wednesday, October 17th, cannabis was officially made legal in Canada for recreational use. While this all may seem pretty straightforward, it’s still worthwhile to explore the various impacts this will have on both Canadian and US citizens. Before you plan your trip over the border or encourage your friends up north to partake in all the fun, make sure to be well-informed about all the details.
As Maryland’s medical cannabis program continues to grow and thrive, new and exciting products are now appearing on dispensary shelves. CBN patches and CBG tinctures are some particularly noteworthy additions. Most patients are very familiar by now with THC and CBD and their medical benefits, but may not know exactly what to use these lesser-known cannabinoids for. Here is a run down on some important cannabinoids and their benefits.
There are hundreds of different cannabis strains and so many ways to use medical marijuana that the choices can be overwhelming. Furthermore, product selection is going to vary from dispensary to dispensary, and they may not always have the exact product you’re looking for in stock consistently. As Maryland’s cannabis program grows (and Ohio’s begins) so will these dispensary menus – and you’ll see new strains popping up almost daily. Thankfully, there are some very helpful apps out there to help you navigate this sea of information and put you on the right track. If you need some guidance with strain selection, dosing, or just general cannabis knowledge, we recommend these must-have apps for both novices and veterans alike:
There have been quite a few road bumps and growing pains for everyone involved in Maryland’s Medical Cannabis program. Back in 2017, Green Health Docs opened their first clinic with a focus on reducing opioid use and promoting a safe, effective, and more natural alternative. With most of our six clinics now reaching or surpassing their first full year in operation, Green Health Docs has seen thousands of patients – a good number of whom have come back for follow up to continue being in the program. We’ve found that most patients have been very pleased with their results, and I’d like to share with you some insights we’ve gained over the months.
Many people tend to focus on the major cannabinoids like THC and CBD when picking out their cannabis strains, but that’s not the only medicinal component to the plant. Terpenes are the essential oils that provide cannabis plants their different flavors and aromas. Some terpenes even help supplement the indica or sativa properties of cannabis strains. While there are over 200 different terpenes, in this article we’ll go over the most common ones to look out for.
In recent years, attitudes toward cannabis have steadily improved. In fact, a 2017 study by Pew Research found that 61 percent of Americans favor marijuana legalization. (In our own practice at Green Health Docs, we have certified over 7,000 medical cannabis patients in both Ohio and Maryland and are thrilled that so many patients are able to get access to this wonderful medicine with their medical marijuana card.) This year, California became the ninth state to legalize the use of cannabis for recreational reasons. As an economic leader, the Golden State’s move is sure to have a significant impact on the industry.
Undeniably, the legalization and growing acceptance of marijuana have opened many possibilities for its application. In fact, weed is showing great promise in the fields of medicine and health.
Keep reading if you are curious about how marijuana can help address various health issues when combined with popular wellness techniques like meditation.
When most people think of cannabis edibles they picture baked goods and candies which are often featured on TV shows and in West Coast dispensaries. Maryland law prohibits selling cannabis ‘food’ due to concerns about minors mistakenly using their parents’ medication. Maryland dispensaries are able to provide other oral options such as pills, tablets and infused drinks. (Ohio patients will be able to purchase edibles from dispensaries unlike Maryland patients, however.)
There are ways to use cannabis as a food since it is possible to purchase raw cannabis flower and make your own.
Medical Marijuana will be coming to Ohio before you know it, and you may be pleasantly surprised to find that you too can qualify to become a legal cannabis patient! One of the most important steps to getting your Medical Marijuana card in Ohio is simply receiving (and being able to provide proof of) a diagnosis for at least one of the following qualifying conditions:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a condition caused by the immune system abnormally responding to natural intestinal bacteria and fungi. The two types of IBD are Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Crohn’s Disease can affect any portion of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, and can cause damage to the full thickness of your intestines.
Ulcerative Colitis is limited to your colon and only affects the inner lining. Both can be devastating to patients and involve multiple symptoms and complications – that is why IBD is a qualifying condition in many states where medical cannabis is legal, including Ohio, whose program will be launching early this fall.
Green Health Docs primarily mission is to give Maryland and Ohio residents medical cannabis cards so that they can access cannabis to better manage their conditions. While being able to treat pain and other symptoms can greatly improve one’s quality of life, so can maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The majority of the patients we see are seeking relief from their chronic pain, and no doubt have been counseled numerous times by their healthcare providers to try and be more active. Using your joints regularly helps to keep them healthier, even if they are arthritic – so could something typically associated with ‘stoners’ lying around eating snacks on the couch actually help you become more physically fit?
By using the right strains and dosages, patients may find that cannabis can be used as a tool not only to relieve their pain and other symptoms, but to improve their overall well-being. We’ve had some chronic pain patients return for their yearly check-ups reporting that they are more active and have been losing weight. This can seem counterintuitive at first, especially since cannabis is often promoted as an appetite stimulant that induces lethargy, but there also exist many strains that increase energy to help you be more active. Some cannabinoids, such as CBN and THC-V, can even help suppress appetite.