In 2020, both Medical Marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) will be mentioned in the media, in advertising, and in everyday conversation more than ever before. Both Medical Marijuana and CBD have become treatments du jour for a wide range of ailments, from glaucoma to insomnia to chronic pain and even depression. Both substances are improving the lives of millions of people in numerous wonderful ways.
But what are the therapeutic differences between CBD and Medical Marijuana? This can be a confusing question for a lot of people, because the two substances are very intermingled (often quite literally) and are mentioned together frequently. Are they the same thing? Are they drastically different?
What Is Marijuana?
Marijuana comes from the cannabis plant which is rooted from either autoflower, regular or feminized seeds. It is a psychoactive substance that is used for medicinal and recreational purposes by people all over the world. The flowers, fruits, and leaves of the cannabis plant are harvested and dried to form weed, which can be smoked and inhaled, vaped, or added to foods and drinks.
A Brief History Of Cannabis
The cannabis plant originated in Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Evidence suggests it was used for spiritual purposes in burial ceremonies across Eurasia since before 3,500 BC. It was introduced to the western world in 1842 by Irish physician William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, who researched weed while working as a medical officer with the East India Company in Bengal and brought a quantity back to Britain.
Marijuana was first made illegal in the United States in 1906. It remained a criminal offense to use weed nationwide until 1973 when, slowly but surely, states began to decriminalize the use of weed. In 2012, after much lobbying and deliberation, Washington became the first U.S. state to lift the ban on weed. Since then, 33 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medicinal cannabis, and 11 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational weed. Nowadays it is easy to buy weed online in Canada and other in other U.S states.
What Is Medical Marijuana?
Medical Marijuana is, for all intents and purposes, the same as any other type of weed from the highest thc seeds to cheap marijuana. The distinction comes only in its legal status. In 22 states, weed is illegal unless it is for medicinal purposes. In these states, it is not permitted to use weed unless it is prescribed by a medical professional.
What Is CBD?
CBD is cannabidiol. It is a cannabinoid that is found in the cannabis plant. CBD is one of the active compounds in weed. It is used for medicinal and health-boosting purposes.
What Are The Therapeutic Differences Between Medical Marijuana And CBD?
There are several therapeutic differences between CBD and Medical Marijuana. These are important to understand, because they will inform your decision on which substance is best suited for your particular needs.
Psychoactive Effects Of Marijuana
Medical Marijuana has psychoactive effects that are caused by the compound THC. Generally, the more THC a strain of medical weed contains, the more psychoactive it will be. While CBD is an active compound in Medical Marijuana, it is not in any way psychoactive. CBD, when taken on its own, has no psychoactive effects.
Treatment With Medical Marijuana Or CBD Requires Different Legal Considerations
A key difference between CBD and Medical Marijuana is their status under the law. Medical Marijuana is legal in 33 states. However, Medical Marijuana is still illegal under federal law, although state laws hold sway and the federal ban only means that Medical Marijuana cannot be taken across state lines. CBD, on the other hand, is legal in most of the States in America.
CBD And Medical Marijuana Provide Different Therapeutic Benefits
CBD and Medical Marijuana provide different therapeutic benefits. CBD is mainly used to treat pain, insomnia, anxiety, muscle spasms, and IBS. Medical Marijuana is used to treat a wider range of medical conditions. including glaucoma, chronic pain, MS, migraines, cancer symptoms, arthritis pain, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
CBD And Medical Marijuana Have Different Side Effects
The only potential side effects of CBD are mild diarrhea, tiredness, and a change in appetite. Medical Marijuana can have stronger side effects that include increased appetite, drowsiness, increased heart rate, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, paranoia, and exacerbation of schizophrenia symptoms.
CBD And Medical Marijuana Can Be Ingested In Different Ways
CBD is ingested mainly in oil form. CBD oil can be taken in capsules or added to foods or drinks. Medical Marijuana is most commonly smoked, but can also be vaped, eaten, or added to drinks.
Bottom Line
Well, the fact is that they are not the same thing. Medical Marijuana contains CBD, but CBD does not contain the psychoactive effect Medical Marijuana. So while CBD and Medical Marijuana have a lot in common, they often have quite different effects and uses. In this article, we will discuss the differences between CBD and Medical Marijuana.
