Today we all are familiar with the therapeutic advantages of cannabis. However, at the beginning of the 20th century, marijuana was classified as narcotic thanks to Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in it. THC is a psychoactive compound but not the only compound found in marijuana. Despite other health benefits due to those compounds, medical usage of cannabis declined, and researched it. This is the price of the tag of “narcotic substance.”
The plant regained some of its lost ground in the last decade and is allowed for medicinal purposes in 33 US states. Marijuana has more than 65 other cannabinoids that have properties that make it medically desirable. That is why it usually known as medical cannabis and not weed. Different states have allowed prescription and usage of this drug for various purposes.
Many myths emerged during the interim, which need to be busted. This article outlines all of those myths.
Table of Contents
Busting The MMJ Myths
Myth 1 Many believe that cannabis is only for relieving pain in terminal illnesses like HIV or cancer.
Fact: Generally, MMJ is recommended for Alzheimer’s, relieving pain, reducing vomiting sensation, improving appetite, and reducing epileptic or muscular seizures. Therefore, it is as OTC medicines too in some cases, though prescription gives better results.
Myth 2 Legalizing marijuana will increase users among teenagers.
Fact: Studies indicate that, in fact, it is adults who use cannabis to relieve their pain.
Myth 3 All forms of marijuana smoking are as harmful as smoking cigarettes.
Fact: Cigarette smoking definitely causes damage to the lungs. On the contrary, the corresponding effects of marijuana smoking are limited, especially if it is medical marijuana. Therefore, damage to the lungs is also negligible in comparison, even if the patient smokes it. Moreover, medical marijuana is a combination of the right amount of desired cannabinoids. This selection is a mixture of particular cannabis strains and their hybrids. At times, it may even entail the extraction of the cannabinoids, so the harmful nicotine concentrations are lower.
Myth 4 Marijuana, even used for medical purposes, will invariably lead to addiction.
Fact: Studies have indicated that only about 9 percent of marijuana users end up as addicts.
There are only medical benefits of cannabis. THC content is almost zero in medical cannabis. In fact, cannabis is an excellent alternative to contemporary addictive opioids. The overdose of opioids can lead to death. The states that support the MMJ legalization have experienced a significant decrease in these deaths.
Myth 5 Marijuana invariably destroys brain cells.
Fact: There is no scientific evidence to support this belief.
Myth 6 Marijuana creates a feeling of a “high” associated with narcotic substances, so there will be cravings.
Fact: It does have tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the substance for that high feeling attributable to marijuana. However, in MMJ, the prominent ingredients are cannabinoids and not THC. Therefore, the effect of THC, if any, is minimal.
Conclusion
Today, more people realize that medical marijuana is not as bad as they think. Even though the drug continues to remain in the Schedule I of US Drug enforcement administration, it is nowhere as bad as other narcotics. Considering the latest facts, it is not wrong to say that cannabis is a whole lot better than some other prescribed pain relievers. So, contact Medical Marijuana Riverside physicians today before it gets too late.