How to Get Your Medical Marijuana Card in the United States

Our country is finally starting to accept the use of medical marijuana as a great alternative option for treating a variety of health conditions. Evidence for this fact includes the rate at which states throughout the country are creating and establishing their own medical marijuana programs, as well as a shift in the public perception of what it means to use cannabis on a regular basis. A few decades ago, most people in the United States would not have thought that cannabis should be legal. However, studies done in 2019 concluded that well over 67% of residents in the U.S. believe that it should be legalized now.

The great thing about using medical marijuana is that it gives patients more options in how they want to be treated for certain conditions. After all, we are still experiencing an opioid crisis in our country, and many of the conditions that are treated with more addictive prescription medications can also be treated with medical marijuana. Understanding the medical marijuana industry in our country can be a bit confusing, so I am here to clear a few things up for you if you are considering using medical marijuana for yourself. So without further ado, here are the steps to take in order to get your medical marijuana card in the United States.

The first thing that you need to do is determine which state you live in. Now, if you have a brain, this shouldn’t be too hard for you. The important thing to understand is that each state has its own rules, pilocies, and regulations when it comes to using medical marijuana. While many state programs do have some overlap, it is important to determine the differences and unique rules to your state specifically. At the time of writing this, there are just under 40 states that allow medical marijuana to be used. Keep in mind, however, that in order to successfully apply for your medical marijuana card, you need to have one of the qualifying conditions for your state’s medical program. Some states are very lenient on which conditions constitute using medical marijuiana, while others are much more strict. Either way, it is important to figure out if your condition is listed on your state’s program, and then you can go from there. Some of the common conditions that are treated with cannabis include inflammation, chronic pain, cancer, arthritis, MS, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and many more! If you have one of those conditions or something similar, make sure that you apply for your medical marijuana card. 

The other thing that you need to keep in mind is what type of cannabis consumption you are going to be using. There are a lot of options when it comes to how you want to use cannabis, what strains you want to purchase, and what dosage would be best for you. The most important thing you can do is to visit your doctor (which you will have to do before being referred to the medical marijuana program) and ask him or her about your current condition and medical history. This way, you will be able to ensure that you don’t have any underlying health conditions that could put you at risk with using marijuana. There are plenty of strains to choose from when it comes to using cannabis. There are well over 700 types of strains actually, and each one is unique and effective in its own way. Read my other articles about cannabis strains if you want to learn more information about which strains would be helpful for your current condition.

Can Medical Marijuana Treat Depression

Mental health is getting a lot more attention within the United States after recent events like the pandemic. Various factors like economic decline, job loss, social media overconsumption, and interpersonal conflict have led to the highest depression levels that we have ever seen. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 16.2 million adults suffer from depression in one form or another in the United States. That number is astounding. Some people think of depression as people just making up excuses to be lazy and sad, and that it is not really an issue.

However, anyone who has seen a loved one struggle with depression will know that it is a serious mental illness that can manifest in a variety of physical, emotional, and mental conditions. Oftentimes, anxiety disorder also goes hand in hand for someone struggling with depression. There has been a lot of research dedicated to whether the use of medical marijaua can be an effective treatment for depression and related mental illnesses. We are already well aware of marjiuana’s benefits for those of us who struggle with anxiety, but what about depression? Well, studies and trials have been conducted over and over to try and find out exactly what medical marijuana is capable of. So keep reading if you want to hear more about this amazing topic. 

First, it is important to note that there has not been a significant amount of studies done on medical marijuana’s use for treating depression only. However, a lot can still be talked about when it comes to the topic. Recent emerging research even suggests that medical marijuana can be used in similar fashion to regular prescription anti-depressants, but without all the harmful side effects. Many current prescription medications that are used to treat depression have tendencies to cause weight-gain, suicidal thoughts, increased anxiety, nausea, headaches, and numerous other side effects that can really take a toll on somebody.

We already know that certain strains of marijuana are great for reducing anxiety by creating feelings of calm and peace; similarly, other strains of marijuana could be used to treat depression by raising levels of energy through adrenaline and serotonin. Even though the number of clinical trials are not necessarily staggering, many people who regularly use cannabis will attest to its effectiveness to treat their depression and anxiety.  

So what are the risks for using marijuana as a treatment for depression? Well, I can tell you right off the bat that there are not very many. Marijuana is a very natural drug, and its use is generally considered risk-free. However, that doesn’t mean that there are not some potential drawbacks that can occur when frequently and regularly using marijuana. As always, the best way to use any medical treatment is with careful consideration as well as advice from your doctor or other medical professionals.

It can also be helpful to discuss your treatment options with a cannabis specialist. It is crucial to have your weekly dosage of cannabis prescribed to you by professionals to avoid the risk of accidentally overdosing or something like that. The side effects of marijiuana can differ from person to person (just like any other drug or medication) so you really want to be sure that you are doing everything you can to keep consuming your marijuana safely! 

In conclusion, there is no definitive answer that can be backed by conclusive clinical trials. However, there is a lot of evidence that points to medical marijuana being an effective and safe way to treat and manage depression, along with anxiety and numerous other mental health conditions. I hope that this was helpful!

Dablets – The New Concentrates 

The great thing about the cannabis industry is that it seems like things are consistently improving and there is always something new to try. Also, there are a lot of different ways for people to consume cannabis. Whether you are someone who enjoys inhalation methods like smoking or vaping, or you prefer edibles methods, you can really enjoy marijuana anyway that you please. One of the new cannabis products that has hit the market in the last decade or so are called concentrates.

If you are unfamiliar with what concentrates are, they usually come in the forms like resins, rosins, or shatter, and are much higher in potency than regular cannabis products. Concentrates can range from 20-30% THC to even 50-60%, depending on the type of product you buy. The great thing about concentrates is that they are great for people using medical marijuana. Some patients, specifically those who have debilitating and chronic diseases, find that marijuana concentrates are extremely effective for treating dangerou symptoms of their condition. Patients with chronic pain, cachexia, or severe muscle spasm disorders find that marijuana concentrates can provide fast relief for when they really need it the most. However, there are some problems when it comes to trying to consume concentrates of marijuana. One of the problems is that the process of administering a dose of marijuana concentrate can be a bit of a hassle at times, especially when a patient is in crisis. Using wax and resins can be tricky, because getting the accurate and proper dose can be difficult to say the least. However, if you have been looking for an easier way to consume cannabis concentrates in a more convenient way, your life has just gotten a lot better!

It is important to note that not all states that have legalized medical marijuana have also legalized concentrates. The reason for this is because concentrates tend to contain way more THC than normal medical cannabis, and this can usually be seen as a deterrent to policy makers and such. However, there are certain states that have legalized concentrates for medical marijuana patients. The other reason that it is so restrictive in some states is because lobbyists and certain organizations have raised concerns about concentrates being available for children with chronic health conditions. However, this point doesn’t really make sense because most caregivers would never give a child a dab of marijuana. Rather, they would use tinctures or oils to treat children with medical cannabis. Either way, it is safe to say that if marijuana concentrates are legal in your state under your medical marijuana programs, you should definitely consider it as a treatment option. Some patients really rely on concentrated marijuana to get through the day and is viewed as an effective method of pain relief. You can also feel the effects of the concentrates extremely quickly and efficiently, which makes it really useful for patients dealing with severe medical conditions. 

So what are DabTabs and how do they relate to concentrates? Well, if you are unfamiliar with the process of dabbing, it is usually seen as the most effective way to consume a marijuana concentrate. However, dabbing can be tricky to get the hang of and is not necessarily the ideal method for some patients. The hardest part about taking a dab is ensuring that you have the right amount of concentrate on the nail before you take a hit. Otherwise, you can end up taking too much or not taking enough. A DabTab is almost like a capsule that allows you to have more confidence using concentrates, because you will always be able to administer the right amount of concentrate. 

Decriminalization of Cannabis Through the MORE Act

If you have not heard, we are getting closer and closer to legalizing marijuana on a federal level. Recently, the medical marijuana community and pro-cannabis organizations have been getting excited about policy changes happening over the course of 2020. To put it simply, the federal government is looking to decriminalize marijuana in the coming decade. So what does that mean? Well, the decriminalization of marijuana is actually something I have written about a lot in the past, so make sure that you go check out some of my other articles about it. At this time, it is no secret that our government in the United States is still financially reeling from the pandemic. Covid-19 swept across our nation, and took with it lives, jobs, investments, retirement and emergency funds, and so much more.

Due to this nightmare that the U.S. went through, many state and local governments are looking for ways to increase tax revenue without putting more taxes on income, property, and various consumer products. The reason for this is because many people are struggling for money right now, and the government needs to incentivize people to keep spending their money in order to keep the economy going. That is why we get things like stimulus checks and all of that. Anyways, the cannabis industry is one way that the government can cash in on more tax revenue. This would all come about through various medical marijuana programs, and would eventually lead to a legalization of marijuana on a federal scale (which would also mean decriminalization). Did you know that in 2018, 4 out of 10 drug arrests were for the possession, sale, or manufacturing of marijuana? Think about how many people would be affected by the decriminalization of marijuana with statistics like these.

So, on a more ground level, what would legalization look like? Well, for starters, the government is looking to approve the legalization that would allow for this. If you have not heard of the MORE Act, it is a piece of legislation that is getting cannabis lovers, medical patients, and pro-marijuana organizations excited. The MORE Act stands for the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement Act. This Act is a bipartisan piece of legislation that would completely remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act (which classifies it as an illegal drug). This is a huge deal for many medical patients that are struggling to get access to medical marijuana in their area due to current policies and laws about cannabis. Not only would it allow more people to access medical marijuana, but this act would create better opportunities for states to create their own recreational cannabis programs. There are currently 14 states in the United States that allow all adults over the age of 21 to legally use marijuana. This is basically the epitome of a world where marijuana is completely legal. In fact, I am stopping up in Michigan in a few days to smoke some weed with my good friend. We are going to be trying a new strain he bought called Orange Dreamsicle, and I am really excited for it. Anyways, that is the future of marijiuana that we can look forward to; however, right now, it is more imperative than ever to make sure everyone has access to medical marijuana to treat their health conditions and diseases.

The decriminalization of marijuana also means that people will no longer be incarcerated for marijuana related charges. The possession of cannabis has caused a lot of Americans to spend time in prison or on parole, and we can look forward to the end of that thanks to the MORE Act.

Edibles Are Now Legal In Florida

Medical marijuana patients and enthusiasts in Florida alike have a reason to be really excited right now. Why? Because the Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) has made the announcement that they have authorised the manufacturing, sales, and distribution of THC infused edibles. Like most states that have been historically restrictive with marijuana products, Florida only allowed edibles in CBD form for a very long time. CBD edibles are great for dealing with pain and physical issues, but they do not have the same relieving effects that THC can have for medical patients that are struggling with severe pain or chronic conditions. That is why this announcement is going to be happily regarded by medical patients in the state of Florida who prefer not to use inhalation methods for consuming their cannabis. This new rule is a great addition to the marijuana medical laws that are currently in Florida.

This legalization of THC infused edibles, also called the Standards for Production of Edibles, was one of the final steps in the full legalization process for cannabis edibles. However, this new policy does not come without some strings attached. Basically, the Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use wants to identify and analyze safe product standards within the cannabis industry. Since the idea of an America with legalized cannabis laws is very new, government entities are venturing out into uncharted waters as far as regulations are concerned. Many organizations are required to place policies and procedures to ensure that product standards are met, similar to how states monitor the production of consumer foods and beverages to ensure safety standards are met. Any manufacturer or dispensary that wants to produce and sell THC infused edibles will have to adhere to strict standards and regulations while the edibles are being produced. So what do some of these rules look like? Are edibles still going to be the same quality and effectiveness as in other states? Well, keep reading if you want to know the answer to those questions.

When it comes to packaging edibles that are being produced for consumer use, each edible has to have the exact same amount of THC in it. You can imagine, I’m sure, how problematic it would be if the THC content differed from edible to edible. How would people ensure that they are not taking too much or too little of a dose? Each pack of edibles needs to be clearly labeled with the amount of THC that they contain, and they also need to have the exact same THC content in them. In addition to all that, a single serving of an edible cannot contain more than 10 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and multi-serving edibles are not allowed to exceed more than 200 milligrams of THC.

These are pretty reasonable numbers when it comes to my opinion, especially when you consider the fact that you can simply take more edibles than what is suggested if you need to. However, we don’t normally recommend that. Also, it is important to note that all THC products need to be clearly stamped or printed with the statewide universal THC content symbol. This way, you won’t have people buying what they thought was a pack of regular gummy bears and end up getting higher than a kite on 600 milligrams of THC. Also, the state of Florida has decided that the THC edibles cannot contain any sort of unnatural color additives, which means that the edibles will instead need to be colored with some sort of food coloring that is safe and natural. Honestly, I like the way that the state of Florida is handling all of this.

How To Get Your Medical Marijuana Card

Have you been thinking about applying for your medical marijuana card recently? I don’t blame you! Millions of Americans have taken the steps to receive their marijuana card and are able to use cannabis to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and other conditions that qualify for a medical marijuana license in their state. If you are interested in applying for your medical marijuana card, the first thing you have to do is research your state’s policies on cannabis and their healthcare system. While some states are very lenient about cannabis use for medical and recreational needs, other states rule with an iron fist when it comes to giving citizens the privilege of smoking the Devil’s Lettuce.

You may have heard that getting your medical marijuana card can be a bit of a challenge at times, and I would agree with that statement. However, I will also say that reading this article is your best shot to getting your own medical marijuana card. I will tell you what you need to know. Most people who use medical marijuana report a complete change in their daily life, as they are able to better manage pain, anxiety, or simply relax and sleep at night. So without further ado, let’s talk about how you can go and get your own medical marijuana card.

The first thing that you need to do is check your state’s rules about marijuana. If your state legalizes marijuana for medical use, then that is a great start! otherwise , you may be out of luck when it comes to getting your hands on some cannabis. The next thing that you need to do is see if you have any of the qualifying health conditions in your state. It is worth noting that just because your state legalizes marijuana does not mean that you qualify for a medical marijuana card. Some states have very different policies and laws when it comes to what type of condition elicits the use of medical marijuana.

In order to get your medical marijuana card, you have to be sure to actually hit those certain qualifications. In order to do so, you will have to go to your doctor or health care provider and go over your health conditions that may qualify for receiving a medical marijuana card. There are certain websites that make it really easy to find all the information you need and list all the qualifying conditions from state to state. So go ahead and do some research online as well to figure out if you can apply for a marijuana card. 

You will also need to submit your health records before your health appointment that will tell you if you can receive your medical marijauna card. It’s important to submit these records because it will help the doctors work more smoothly and quickly. Remember that the qualifications to get your medical marijuana card differ from state to state. This is because cannabis has been federally legalized at this point (hopefully soon though!). This means that marijuana is legalized based on each state’s discretion and what they deem as fit for the state.

I hope that this article has been helpful to you and that you can apply for your medical marijuana card very soon. Remember the time it takes for the state medical cannabis program to get back to you varies significantly by state (like everything else in the cannabis industry between states). Once you have been approved though, you can expect to wait half a month to a month to receive your medical marijuana card. There will be no temporary card given to you in that waiting period.

Let’s Talk About Marijuana Pre-Rolls

Smokable cannabis remains the most popular and top selling method of cannabis consumption in the United States. While the advancements of the cannabis industry in our nation have allowed for a lot of innovative marijuana products to be created, such as edibles, tinctures, topicals, and oils, there is just something about smoking whole flower marijuana that just cannot be beat out in the minds of the American public. Not all states that have legalized medical marijuana allow smokable cannabis, but in the ones that have, it is basically always the top selling form of marijuana in the state. So what is about smoking weed that people love so much? Well, for one, the aesthetic and comfort of smoking a bowl or joint just cannot be beat.

Especially if it is something you are doing with some buddies on the porch – it makes for some great memories. It is also important to keep in mind that smoking marijuana offers some of the fastest results out of all cannabis products, and it allows medical marijuana patients to find relief from their symptoms almost immediately. There are lots of ways to smoke cannabis, and each person tends to flock to their own preferred method. Some people like to roll their own joints, smoke from a bowl or pipe, or use a bong. However, it seems like pre-rolled joints are given a bad reputation in the cannabis world, and I am not totally sure why. Pre-rolled joints are often less expensive than buying whole flower cannabis, and this leads some people to think that they are less quality than buds or not as good. Today I want to set the record straight, and that is why we are going to talk about pre-rolled cannabis.

So in order to figure out more about pre-rolled joints, we need to keep in mind exactly what they are. Have you ever been to a dispensary? You would probably notice a lot going on at once, especially for the budtender and other employees that are working there. They may be running from station to station in order to stock products, serve customers, and handle all of the whole flower cannabis. Normally, as cannabis moves from container to container in the dispensary, bits and pieces of the buds fall off into the bottom of the containers. These little shavings are not necessarily enough to sell with other whole flowers, and it would surely be a waste to throw them all away. After all, it’s still good weed! So what do they do with it? Well, the shake, as it is called, is used to make pre-rolled joints in the back of the dispensary. At the end of each day, employees at the dispensary remove the shake from the bottom of all the containers and assemble it into pre-rolled joints to be sold the next day.

Don’t worry – they do not mix different strains of shake! The cannabis shake can also be used to make other products besides pre-rolled joints. So if it is still quality weed, why is it sold for less than other cannabis products? Well, it mainly comes down to the idea of supply and demand. When demand for a product is low, the price also drops. The reason that pre-rolled joints are sold for less is because they are not bought as quickly as other cannabis products. It really doesn’t have to deal with quality and all of that other stuff. Pre-rolled joints are just as potent and beneficial as rolling your own joints, and buying them can honestly save you some money in the long run as well.

All about Moon rocks 

Cannabis is more than just pot brownies and pretty bongs.  There are actually new types of ways for people to consume weed.  While we do have edibles and sommeliers for smoking, moon rocks is something that is considered a sort of caviar for cannabis. Moon rocks is the newest types of marijuana tech that’s offering newfound novelty, and a chance to offer the most THC possible, especially within but one smoking session. 

What are moon rocks? 

Moon rocks are basically weed Turducken. For those of us who don’t know, turducken is basically chicken put directly into a turkey. Basically, this is a high-THC type of flower that’s put in a concentrate or hash oil, with kief put on top of it. It’s basically all of the top THC products all put together. 

There are different ways to make them, but they only require a few ingredients.  It’s basically taking three ingredients and putting them together, which is why people like it. 

How to Make Moon Rocks 

To make this, you want to get the following: 

  • A cannabis nugget or bud that’s high in THC. You want something that’s around 20-30% THC alone
  • A binding agent, including hash oil, and cannabis concentrate. Something that’s high in THC, but also can handle using kief there too. 
  • Kief, or trichomes to sprinkle on top, using the oil as a way to bind this together 

For those of us  who don’t know what concentrates are, this is basically a high THC extraction from a plant. It also can have some of the other compounds, and different processes help to cultivate all of this into but one compound. It’s thick and sappy, almost saucy. Hash oil in contrast is more of an oleoresin, something that you can add to cartridges and edibles. 

Smoking These 

Moon rocks are the type of weed where you don’t need a lot. It’s clear why. The THC levels in these are insane. They also have a texture that can be hard to light too. Some people like to use pipes or bongs to help with flame control. Alternatively, you can also use a vaporizer to help with the dried flower.  The texture also is best to not use with a grinder.  Scissors or knifes to take a small piece off are the best option. 

To smoke this, you want to put this in something to smoke, and put the moon rock over the top of this. Putting it on a piece of flower that’s lit allows it to burn better and offer an effective smoke. You can also make joints out of this, but a lot of pre-rolls are already done like this. 

If you’re going to make these a joint, make sure to stick it in a way so that it can light up the weed that you have in there, and the other weed in the form of the moon rock. The biggest thing with these, is you’ve got to pace yourself. You may not feel it immediately, but due to the THC along with other cannabinoids, it can definitely be quite potent. 

This is something you should always start in a slow fashion with. That’s because they can sometimes be double what the strains that you normally get are. The high from this can last even to the day after that, so even those who are used to it, and it can be potent. There isn’t much danger, but you should never try to have a bunch of this at once, as it can be too potent, and may cause paranoia.