Medical marijuana is the subject of much passionate debate with people either believing it should be illegal and only serves as a gateway into addiction and others believing it should be entirely decriminalized with many wonderful health benefits. Medical marijuana is currently legal throughout the majority of the United States as a controlled substance for medical usage. Here’s what you should know both for why it’s been legalized in most states for medical treatment and why people are cautious of it. 

How Is Medical Marijuana Different From Recreational Marijuana? 

The United States prohibits the use of the entire cannabis plant, which means that medical treatments generally have a low amount of THC. The way medical marijuana is used also can differ from recreational marijuana. Recreational marijuana is generally used to get high, while medical marijuana is used to help alleviate symptoms one experiences. Medical marijuana typically has more CBD and less THC than its alternative, which means that there’s less of a high associated with it. 

Benefits Of Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana’s most common usage is as a method of pain control. It’s mostly prescribed as a pain reliever, especially for acute pain that doesn’t respond well to more traditional methods. It’s also been proven to help with a number of ailments, including, but not limited to:

• Seizures
• PTSD
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Muscle spasms
• Insomnia
• Nausea 
• Weight management
• Slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s
• Decreasing symptoms of Dravet’s Syndrome, Parkinson’s tremors, Hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel, and more.

Marijuana has grown increasingly popular as a medical treatment because it provides a natural method of relieving symptoms such as the ones listed above. It offers relief in a way that many consider safer than a typical pain killer, though just like with a normal pain killer, it must be used with caution and according to professional recommendation.

Potential Risks

As with everything, medical marijuana is not without its risks. These risks are part of why it is the center of such hot debate, and are why it is vital you consult with your doctor in order to determine not only if you qualify for a medical marijuana card, but also whether or not it is the best treatment option for you.

Some of the risks associated with marijuana usage included:

• Impaired thinking/problem solving/memory
• Lower reaction time
• Reduce balance/coordination
• Depression
• Apathy
• Increased heart attack risk, as well as risk for hallucinations and withdrawal
• Increased risk for respiratory infections, if smoked
• Reduced sexual capacity
• High doses can increase anxiety rather than help it.
• And more.

As it is not legal everywhere, depending on the state you are in, you could get into legal trouble for having it. It’s important to be educated about all potential risks and benefits of medical marijuana when considering it, as well as to know the laws of where you live and where you travel, so as to avoid unnecessary complications.

Different Forms Of Marijuana Treatments

While most people think of smoking marijuana when they think of marijuana treatments, that’s not the only way to use it. Other forms of marijuana treatments can be found in vaporizers, edibles, lotions. pills, body sprays, oils, and more. They all provide the same high followed by a calm; they just vary in how long it takes for them to work.

How To Know If You Qualify

You can get a medical marijuana card in Utah, if you meet the state requirements to obtain a card. These include: Alzheimer’s, autism, professionally diagnosed PTSD, terminal illness with less than a six month life expectancy, cancer, epilepsy or other severe seizures, persistent and debilitating muscle spasms, and more. 

In addition to these symptoms, you must not only suffer from one of them, but you must also be a resident of Utah and meet with an approved cannabis physician, like our doctors here at Life Health Medical Center. They will be able to determine if you meet the requirements in order to obtain a medical marijuana card. If so, they will have you register with the Utah Department of Health Medical Marijuana Registry, and you can go to a dispensary in order to legally obtain it. 

Are You Considering Medical Marijuana?

Here at Life Health Medical Center, we value the body’s natural healing capabilities, and recognize how medical marijuana can help with that. We make sure to work closely with the Utah authorities in order to ensure we meet all requirements. 

If you would like to learn more about medical marijuana or if you are a potential candidate for a medical marijuana card, please contact us at Life Health Medical Center today! Our professionals can provide you with all the information you need and help you know if medical marijuana is an option for you.