12 Common Cannabis Misconceptions Every Medical Marijuana Patient Should Know About
Medical cannabis has remained under scrutiny because it is extracted from the same plant as recreational cannabis. As a result, many myths and misconceptions are still lurking around even though state after state is legalizing it and promoting people with medical conditions to embrace its benefits. Therefore, this blog will dispel the 12 common misconceptions that every medical cannabis patient should know.
All Cannabis Give You Psychoactive Effects
This is certainly not true. Medical cannabis and recreational cannabis are poles apart. Their purpose and the intent people use them for are different. Both types of cannabis are extracted from the same plant containing hundreds of active cannabinoid compounds. From these compounds, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) generates the psychoactive effect. It is also the main compound used in recreational cannabis.
On the flip side, medical cannabis is dominant in the CBD (cannabidiol) compound. It effectively relaxes human muscles, offering relief from pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, depression, etc.
By Using Medical Cannabis, You May Become A Drug Addict
Medical cannabis is a medicine helping people with severe medical conditions to lead better lives. It is extracted from the same plant as recreational cannabis, but it cannot make you a drug addict. Medical cannabis is not addictive, and it is not a gateway to drugs for adults or teens. According to Addiction, the increased popularity of medical cannabis is not promoting drug usage.
Doubting that medical cannabis can make you a drug addict is irrational thinking. It will stop you from leading a better life if you are chronic pain, Alzheimer or multiple sclerosis patient.
Continuous Medical Cannabis Use Can Lead To Cancer
It is another absurd misconception ruling the minds of many medical cannabis patients. Its short-term, as well as continuous use, does not lead to cancer. In fact, medical cannabis is helping many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to keep the food in, increase their appetite, deal with nausea and insomnia.
Smoking Medical Cannabis Has More Severe Effects On Lungs Than Tobacco
Commercial cigarettes and cigars have many harmful chemicals that damage the lungs and often lead to cancer. On the other hand, it is not the case with medical cannabis. According to the University of California’s research, smoking or vaping medical cannabis is less damaging by a large margin than traditional tobacco products.
Yet, if you are unsure and don’t want to smoke medical cannabis concentrates, you can go for other available options such as edibles and tropical. Edibles include medical cannabis-infused cookies, brownies, granolas, tea, juices, etc. While tropical include products mainly for external use such as ointments, lotions, salve, etc.
Medical Cannabis Prescriptions Are Not Covered Under Insurance
This statement is also untrue. Many insurance providers cover medical cannabis prescriptions in their HSA (Healthcare Spending Accounts). It would be best to have a valid medical cannabis prescription from a certified physician for your eligibility for insurance. Moreover, you should only purchase it from licensed cannabis dispensaries in Vegas.
Regularly Using Medical Cannabis Can Kill Brain Cells
Researchers have found that heavy or regular use of medical cannabis does not kill or harm brain cells. The plant from which medical cannabis is extracted is rich in antioxidants that protect the DNA from toxins and may promote brain cells’ growth.
Medical Cannabis Contain Only CBD Compound
Since not all medical cannabis products are the same, they do not contain only the CBD compound. The plant from which medical cannabis is extracted contains hundreds of cannabinoid compounds. Out of these, there are five major compounds active in different strains of medical cannabis, namely CBD (cannabidiol), CBN (cannabinol), CBC (cannabichromene), CBG (cannabigerol), or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Different medical cannabis strains come with different proportions of two or more of these compounds to treat different medical ailments.
Medical Cannabis Can Cure Cancer
No medical cannabis cannot treat serious ailments like cancer. However, it may help people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatment restful sleep and ease nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and depression. It is an effective medicine that may ease the effects of many medical conditions, but it cannot completely treat cancer.
No Research Proved The Efficacy of Medical Cannabis
For decades, scientists and researchers have studied medical cannabis and its effect on treating or reducing the impact of different medical conditions on people’s everyday lives. They have found evidence that medical cannabis can subside the effects of many medical conditions, including HIV AIDs, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, etc.
Moreover, in 2018, a research journal named, Addiction discovered that due to the increased usage and legalization of medical cannabis, the death rate in chronic pain patients has decreased because of overdosing Opioids.
You Can Use Medical Cannabis Anywhere And Anytime You Want
Even though medical cannabis is legal in many states, you are still not allowed to use it in any form in public places. Moreover, workplaces also have certain restrictions when it comes to medical cannabis usage. For example, some employers forbid their employees to use it during office hours. Others take a strict stance and do not entertain its usage and may fire or terminate employees if found using it on-premise and off duty. However, there are few states where the restrictions are flexing up, and workplaces are not discriminating for using medical cannabis; these include Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts.
Medical Cannabis Make People Lazy And Unable To Function
Medical cannabis comes in different strains having different proportions of CBD to THC compounds. Some are recommended to use during nighttime because of their relaxing effects, while others are better used during the daytime since they make you more focused.
Therefore, if you choose the right strain for your condition and use it in prescribed doses at the right time, it will not make you lazy or interfere with your daily routine.
Raw Cannabis Plant Also Has The Same Effect As Medical Cannabis
There is no proof that the raw cannabis plant will effectively treat different illnesses and medical conditions. However, different strains of medical cannabis are produced after careful research and testing, and each strain is effective against a specific group of medical conditions.
Final Thoughts
We have dumped the top 12 misconceptions people often have in this guide. Unfortunately, these misconceptions restrain patients suffering from ailments such as multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, cancer, etc., from seeking help by getting a medical cannabis card and starting medical cannabis usage. Now that major misconceptions are clear, we hope you will find it easier to embrace the benefits of medical cannabis and get a doctor’s appointment to get help.
