The United States has moved towards legalizing a wide variety of cannabis products in recent years. Many states have moved to legalize the use of marijuana for recreational or medical use, and in some cases both. The 2018 Farm Bill legalizing hemp by products also allowed for CBD to be sold legally nationwide. With cannabis becoming increasingly available, many people are open to learning more or trying it for themselves. However, it’s important to learn a little bit about what cannabis is and how it works before you dive in. If you’re interested, read on for the ins and outs of cannabis, made simple for beginners.
Where can you learn about cannabis?
It can be intimidating to try to learn more about cannabis as a beginner. There’s a lot to know and it can be tough to find resources that you can trust to provide accurate information. Fortunately, there are organizations like the American Medical Marijuana Association that are dedicated to informing people about cannabis products and how they work. Cannabis encompasses everything from medical and recreational marijuana to CBD, which doesn’t contain THC and remains legal on a federal level. We’ll talk about CBD in more detail a little later.
The legalization of medical and recreational use of marijuana is gaining momentum in the United States and around the world. In the U.S., 36 states allow medical use of marijuana products, while 18 permit recreational use. There are also a handful of states where, despite the lack of legal status for marijuana, the substance is decriminalized. It’s likely that with many more ballot measures pending, we’ll see more acceptance of cannabis use in the near future.
No matter what type of product you’re using, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before trying cannabis for the first time. There are different types of CBD available online, and you can also grow your own, for example, using Indica marijuana seeds. Indicas are typically associated with calming and sleeping effects, including deep relaxation and reducing anxiety. Your doctor can tell you more about how cannabis may impact any health conditions you have or interact with prescription medications you’re currently taking. If you live in a state that allows medical use of marijuana, your doctor may be able to tell you more about the program and who is eligible to participate.
What is CBD and how does it work?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is one of the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Hemp and hemp derivatives like CBD were legalized in the United States for manufacture and sale in the 2018 Farm Bill. Unlike other cannabis products, CBD doesn’t contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), so it doesn’t get you high. Consumers rave about what they describe as its relaxing and beneficial effects. It is by far the most popular cannabis product that remains federally legal, but some states have put their own restrictions on what types of CBD products can be sold.
There are a lot of clinical studies underway aimed at identifying potential medical applications for CBD, and there has already been progress made in the area. In 2018, the FDA approved their first prescription drug containing cannabidiol. The drug, Epidiolex, was designed for treating seizures associated with two forms of epilepsy. In 2020, the drug had a new indication approved and is now also available for patients with tuberous sclerosis complex.
There’s still a lot more to learn about cannabis, but consumers have already responded favorably to all of the products currently on the market. With the industry’s popularity and visibility unlikely to fade anytime soon, cannabis enthusiasts can look forward to even more innovation and progress. Researchers are also hopeful that more will be discovered soon with regard to potential benefits. Cannabis can be a useful part of a holistic wellness routine when used responsibly, just make sure you take the time to learn more about it before you try it for yourself.