Cannabis has been fighting a centuries-long federal war with the government. The various cannabinoids from the cannabis plant have gone from being illegal substances used for getting high to being recognized as an effective treatment for a variety of mental and physical illnesses.
But can it be used as a medicine for such conditions?
Around 2012, many states in the US legalized marijuana for medicinal uses. Colorado and Washington were the very first states to sanction the use of medicinal marijuana. Lots of other states have folllowed suit since then, such as California’s weed being legal now.
After which, 14 states legalized marijuana for many medical conditions such as arthritis, migraines, stress management, anorexia, Alzheimer’s, hepatitis C, depression, and many more.
The only thing that you need to legally smoke pot is an authorized doctor’s prescription to smoke marijuana.For example, you’d get a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card online from a doctor to help you alleviate whatever issues you may be dealing with.
A couple of years later, in 2018, the US farm bill recognized hemp-derived CBD as a legal substance, given that it followed the federal guidelines of keeping THC under 0.3% by dry weight.
The passing of the farm bill saw a booming response on the hemp industry. Thousands of hemp-derived CBD products came into the market. All of which carry different health benefits.
CBD smoking was the new way of combating day-to-day stress and anxiety issues. CBD also showed promise in treating conditions such as insomnia, panic attacks, nightmares, PTSD, and much more.
What Does The Research Say?
According to the medicinal cannabis research at the UCSD, the lab reports clearly stated that cannabinoids were helpful in terminating the cancer cells from the body.
They also aid the patients in chemotherapy by reducing nausea and vomiting, which they experience on a daily basis when going through it. This gives us enough idea about how potential the cannabis plant can be for medicinal uses.
CBD on the other hand is the alter-ego of THC. It can create the same medicinal benefits as medicinal marijuana, minus the intoxicating psychoactive side effects that marijuana generates.
The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of CBD are the main attributes of negating the noxious side effects of THC. So if you mistakenly overdose on marijuana, its effects can be negated and controlled by smoking pure CBD.
Chronicles Of The Cannabis Plant
Cannabis is related to the flowering Cannabaceae plants. The two commonly known species of cannabis are, Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica.
Cannabis Sativa is a tall-growing variety of cannabis. The leaves of this species are very narrowed in shape. These are the plants that are called the Hemp variants of cannabis.
Cannabis Indica is a delicate species known for growing marijuana flowers. Their leaf patterns are broad and they carry a higher concentration of THC. It was first recognized back in 1964, carrying high concentrations of psychoactive compounds, THC. They’re commonly known as marijuana plants that are grown from different cannabis seeds.
Hemp / Cannabis Sativa is generally used in food, fiber, oil, seeds, etc. Since they carry very low concentrations of THC. As low as, less than 0.3% concentration by dry weight.
Marijuana / Cannabis Indica is mainly used for drugs and recreational medicinal purposes. The concentration of THC in these variants is more than 30% along with a mix of other cannabinoids from the cannabis plant.
To explain in a nutshell, THC – Tetrahydrocannabinol, is a household substance for creating the classic high for stoners. Whereas, Mr. Hemp Flower CBD – Cannabidiol, is an anti-inflammatory carrying many medicinal properties.
The Need For Weed
Medicinal marijuana is recognized as a viable medicinal solution for a dozen of health conditions and diseases. The physicians prescribe smoking weed under the prescribed limits for a variety of conditions ranging from chronic pain, cancer, glaucoma, etc.
For more serious conditions, medical marijuana is used on a case-by-case basis to determine the best possible solutions for risky health conditions. Experts believe it to be the safest alternative to toxic medical drugs. And suggest that it is safer than most on a physical level.
Though the researchers have not been able to understand the exact mechanism of how the cannabinoids work on the human body in treating various ailments. It was, 30 years ago, established that humans have a large endocannabinoid system that has receptors all over the body.
These receptors control various functions such as pain sensations, appetite, immune system, bone growth, etc. The cannabinoids from cannabis directly work in conjunction with these receptors, helping them to function optimally.
How To Store Your Cannabis In A Medicine Cabinet?
It is crucial to know the safest ways of storing away your cannabis to ensure it lasts long. If you have children around, it is crucial that you store them in a secure box away from those little sneaky hands in the house.
- Heat
Heat tends to degrade the flower, making it lose its potency. Make sure to store your cannabis in a rather cool place with a wide temperature. This means storing it in your kitchen cabinet would be the worst choice for your cannabis buds.
- Humidity
If you’re taking cannabis tinctures and capsules, they might stick together due to humidity and the flower might grow a mold or mildew to the intensive humid space.
Storing it in a cool and dry place significantly reduces your chance of growing a mold. While many of us usually store away all the medicines in the bathroom medicine cabinet, its best to not add your cannabis in the bathroom
Unless you have some sort of ventilation or a dehumidifier installed in the bathroom ceiling that can remove the excess water from the air.
- Light
We all know that medicines, edibles, and oils need to be stored in a dark and dry place. This is because direct light can degrade the ingredients hence making the products go rancid quickly.
This is the same for cannabis and all forms of cannabis products. Cannabis buds don’t like the extra light. So it’s best to find them a dark spot to ensure a long and happy life.
Choosing The Right Storage Containers For Storing Your Cannabis
Now that you know how and where to store your buds, it’s important to find the right containers for storing them as well. The not-so-good option is plastic bags and plastic containers. They might be the convenient choice, but they can’t protect your buds from damage.
Storing your cannabis in a glass container is the best option. Make sure to get a non-porous glass material that has an air-tight lid to keep out the moisture. This will help ensure that the flavonoids and terpenes stay locked inside your jars.
