Marijuana legalization has been in the news for over a decade now. Still, fortunately for cannabis supporters, the use of marijuana for medical purposes is now legal in over 35 states of the US, with approximately 3.6 million people registered as state-legal medical cannabis patients.

Even though medical marijuana has been recently getting increasingly popular, it doesn’t change the fact that there are still speculations and debate regarding the potential of marijuana for medical purposes. There are still numerous people who are not only against the use of medical marijuana but also question the ability of marijuana to cure diseases.

We have ample examples in history to know how every time something new is introduced, it receives its fair share of backlash before getting widely accepted – currently, it’s medical marijuana. And just like it has always been, the best way to conclude is to determine its pro and cons and discuss its potential, which is exactly what we are doing today. Let’s see if marijuana can actually help cure diseases.

What is Medical Marijuana?

Medical marijuana is basically using the marijuana plant or some chemicals from the plant to treat diseases or various health conditions. It is the same product as recreational marijuana and often has similar effects on your mind and body, but it is taken for medical purposes. Moreover, most medical products made using marijuana are based on their components and chemicals and their use.

Components of Marijuana

The marijuana plant has over 100 different chemicals in it called cannabinoids; these chemicals give marijuana the properties that we know it for. The two main chemicals in marijuana are THC (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). Among these two, THC is known for causing the “high” people feel after smoking marijuana, while CBD benefits various health conditions. Hence, most medical marijuana that we use is CDB dominant strains.

medical marijuana

Uses of Medical Marijuana

Marijuana is used for treating various conditions and has proven to help with symptom management and relief. For example, chronic pain is a common symptom of many medical conditions, and recent stats show over 600,000 US citizens turn to cannabis for chronic pain relief. Other than that, marijuana has proven to help with managing symptoms of mental disorders like depression and anxiety, as well as symptoms of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, HIV and aids, seizures, epilepsy, and Crohn’s disease.

Cons of Marijuana

If we have to consider the other side of this discussion, it’s important to note the cons of the use of marijuana as well. The most common arguments against marijuana are:

  • Memory and cognition: Frequent use of marijuana can affect cognitive thinking and short-term memory
  • Abuse and addiction: Popular belief says marijuana can be addictive, and there is a risk of abuse
  • Lung damage: Smoking anything – be it cigarette or marijuana can have an effect on the lungs

Conclusion

The debate about whether marijuana should be used for medical purposes or not has been long going on and will probably always have two opposing opinions. However, as far as this discussion is concerned with whether marijuana can actually cure disease, there is ample research and proof showing how helpful marijuana is in medical treatment. Even though it’s true marijuana alone has not yet proven to be a cure for any condition, its use has significantly helped patients overcome their pain and health problems. Hence, we believe this should be enough to consider medical marijuana a useful tool for the future.

If you want to know more about medical marijuana or suffer from a condition that can be treated using medical marijuana, you must visit Indica MD – they can help you get a free evaluation and your medical marijuana card!