There are many benefits to cannabis consumption, but there are also potential risks, and we want to ensure you’re aware of them all, so we put together this helpful blog.
With a growing number of states legalizing medical marijuana, interest in the potential benefits of cannabis is increasing rapidly. In 2018, the FDA approved the first cannabinoid-based pharmaceutical, and many experts believe that we’ll see a rapid expansion in cannabis-based medicines soon.
But why do people consume medical marijuana? And how do you get medical marijuana prescribed by a physician? Let’s take a closer look at the answers to these questions and many more – keep reading!
What is medical cannabis?
First, let’s get our definitions straight. What is medical cannabis? How does medical marijuana differ from recreational cannabis?
Medical marijuana (also called medical cannabis) is the term we use to describe cannabis products explicitly cultivated and produced to relieve the chronic symptoms of adult medical cannabis patients.
Experts believe medical cannabis can benefit folks experiencing a variety of conditions, but medical cannabis customers must meet specific requirements and have a qualifying condition like:
- HIV/AIDS
- Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- Glaucoma
- Epilepsy and Seizures
- Severe and Chronic Pain
- Severe Nausea
Patients visiting a medical cannabis dispensary will typically pay lower prices, as states tax medical cannabis at a lower rate. In Arizona, people interested in cannabis’ medicinal uses can obtain products with higher THC levels, avoiding the restrictions placed on recreational consumers. This is because the medical benefits of THC can be vital in treating certain chronic health conditions (like those mentioned above).
What are the benefits of medical marijuana?
There are many reasons patients explore the medical benefits of weed. Some of the known medical benefits of cannabis include:
- Increasing mental acuity
- Helping support cartilage and joint function
- Mood elevation
- Promoting appetite
- Improved digestion
- Enhanced sleep
- Menstrual support
- Stress and frustration relief
- Helping maintain proper immune function
- Enhanced relaxation
What are the pros and cons of medical cannabis?
Not sure if medical marijuana is right for you? Let’s take a closer look at some of the pros and cons of medical cannabis.
Medical Marijuana Benefits
Body: Medical marijuana can help treat many ailments, reducing occasional pain, inflammation, or other minor aches that slow you down. It’s also been shown helpful in addressing the chronic conditions mentioned earlier in this blog, like severe nausea, chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, and more.
Work: Because of the assistance medical marijuana can provide in helping stabilize your mood, many patients use their prescription to help reduce job-related stress and anxiety that can impede their performance. And since we know that restful sleep is critical for workplace productivity, medical cannabis’ ability to improve sleep makes it a helpful friend at work.
The benefit of getting an Arizona Medical Marijuana card: In Arizona, having a medical marijuana card not only gets you access to lower cost, higher quality cannabis, it also provides protection from your employer if you test positive for THC during a required drug test, and offers similar protection in custody disputes.
Medical Marijuana Risks
Body: The risks of medical marijuana can depend on your selected consumption method. Inhalable forms of medical marijuana (flower and vape) might irritate your lungs. Some medical consumers prefer tinctures or edible forms of cannabis to avoid these risks.
Work: Like any psychoactive substance that affects the brain, medical cannabis is generally not appropriate to consume during work, especially if you have a physically active job. To stay safe, microdose or consume products featuring only CBD when at work.
Risks of getting a medical card: Some people worry about the consequences of getting a medical card, but there aren’t many downsides to becoming a medical cannabis patient in Arizona. Your registry information is strictly confidential, like any other medical information, and the only hassle is the $150 application cost. So, if you’re someone who consumes cannabis infrequently, it might not be worth the price.
Where can I get a medical marijuana card in Arizona?
Getting a medical marijuana card is simple in Arizona. Here are the steps:
- Visit a certified medical provider. This can be your primary care physician or someone you make a special appointment with to discover if medical cannabis is right for you.
- Gather your documents for the online application. This includes a photo ID, a current photograph, your doctor’s recommendation, and a patient attestation form.
- Submit your online application.
Medical dispensaries in AZ
Once you’ve got your medical cannabis card, the fun begins! Here are some of our favorite medical dispensaries in the Grand Canyon State to get you started (obviously, we think we’re your best option):
- Sol Flower
- Health for Life
- Arizona Organix Dispensary
- Valley of the Sun Medical Dispensary
- Oasis Cannabis
- Arizona Natural Selections
- Farm Fresh Medical Marijuana Dispensary
- ANC Dispensary
- The Flower Shop
- Wickenburg Alternative Medicine
We’re committed to helping you get the most from your medical cannabis. That’s why we offer educational resources on our website and classes in our stores. Click here to access our educational resources online, and click here to view our upcoming classes.
