Marijuana Can Ease the Pain of Loneliness?

Loneliness is a disease—it’s far more harmful to health than most people realize. Being lonely could lower the immune system, making a person more susceptible to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and depression. According to science, loneliness could even increase an individual’s chances of an early death by 14 percent.

Indeed—loneliness is a disease, and scientists and psychologists are pretty much aware of that. Many of them have sought and researched a variety of approaches to reduce the effects of chronic loneliness. One of the unexpected findings is that medical marijuana sold at dispensaries can be used to ease the pain of loneliness, social exclusion, and low self-esteem in people.

CBD, THC: Active Ingredients of Medical Marijuana

Marijuana, also known as cannabis, contains about 60 cannabinoids or compounds that give the plant various properties. Despite the drug’s potential for abuse, marijuana has garnered interest among medical experts over the years because two of its cannabinoids, namely CBD and THC, are known to provide certain medical benefits. Thus, the biggest challenge for the drug’s proponents is how to harness these cannabinoids without any of the side-effects.

Legal Marijuana in Focus: Alaska

Cannabis may not survive in the frigid Alaskan north, but the use of this herb remains sunny in the Final Frontier. In fact, southern parts of the state provide the right climate for cultivation.

Over half of Alaskan voters voted in favor of Ballot Measure 8, which legalized of the drug in 1998. Like Oregon, Alaska is racing to become the third state to legalize marijuana for recreational use this November. So far, it's a neck-to-neck race, but it will all come down to who can formalize the legalization first.

Guidelines to Medical Marijuana Use in Illinois

The legislation that authorizes the use of medical marijuana in Illinois was signed by Governor Pat Quinn on August 1, 2013. Enterprising individuals in the state keeping an eye on a promising venture can look into their option of establishing a medical cannabis dispensary. However, they have to ensure they follow the standards when doing so. Here are the three priorities to keep in mind:

How Oregon Embraced Medical Cannabis Legalization

At the moment, medical marijuana is legal in a total of 22 U.S. states and Washington, DC. However, Oregon still holds the distinction of being the first state that decriminalized possession of small amounts of cannabis. In 1998, the state passed Measure 67 that allowed patients to possess, cultivate, and use medical marijuana, and since then, the industry has flourished.

However, Senate Bill 1531 being signed into law on March 19, 2014 is certainly a game changer. SB 1531 allows local governments to impose certain regulations and restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries. To ensure that these operating businesses are compliant to said directives, state regulators make unannounced visits to the establishments. This way, a thorough inspection and evaluation can be made.

Recently, one medical cannabis dispensary in Portland was discovered to have committed violations like having unlocked doors or allowing the use of the substance within the premises itself, and was thus ordered closed. However, there is no final word yet on whether the dispensary’s license to operate will be revoked.

As such, those planning to operate medical cannabis dispensaries here are recommended to rely on consulting services to ensure that their establishments comply with local laws. Consulting firms will guide these future owners and operators in properly controlling inventory and accurately documenting transactions. Compliance to regulations and restrictions is key to their success.

How U.S. States Regulate Legal Medical Marijuana

Legal medical marijuana in the U.S. has a rather lengthy history. The drug was once regulated in at least 35 states in the 1930s, thanks to the Uniform State Narcotic Drug Act. Much has changed since then, as various states have either abolished or reformed their marijuana laws to ban or control the use of the drug, respectively. As of June 27, 2014, 23 states allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

In general, medical marijuana can only be obtained through dispensaries and/or licensed medical practices in the U.S., though the specifics actually differ in each state. Patients in Nevada, for example, are required to present an ID card indicating that medical marijuana was recommended (not prescribed) by their doctors to treat their ailment(s), although they aren’t allowed to get the drug from dispensaries. Minnesota, meanwhile, allows dispensaries to provide marijuana but only as liquid extracts.

Regardless of how states regulate the distribution of the drug, the federal government maintains the position that marijuana is a dangerous narcotic. At present, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug (Controlled Substances Act of 1970), with high potential for abuse. The debate on whether or not the federal government should interfere with state laws on marijuana, even for medical purposes, continues to this day.

Qualifying to be a Medical Marijuana Patient

Do you suffer from arthritis, glaucoma, or fibromyalgia? Is conventional medicine not exactly doing you much good? Perhaps you might want to seek medical marijuana dispensaries to receive an alternative form of treatment. That said, only those who are qualified to be medical marijuana patients can have access to the drug. You may or may not meet the requirements, depending on where you live.

Legal Medical Marijuana is Nothing New

In the U.S. and some parts of the world, the idea of using legal medical marijuana remains a hotly debated issue. Both proponents and opponents of the idea have laid down a lot of good points, so much so that the public is still divided on the matter. Regardless of public perception, however, it is important remember that using marijuana for medical purposes is nothing new.

Legal Marijuana in Focus: California

Legal medical marijuana continues to shape the country, bringing much needed relief to those who really need it. If you really want to see these changes, however, you'll need to look closer, as in by state. Follow this special report on how states have come to legalize the controversial drug.

First on the list is "ground zero." California, where it all began.

The Golden State became the first state in the U.S. to legalize pot in 1996 via Ballot Proposition 215. The proposition, which was eventually known as the Compassionate Use Act on November 5th, was met with criticism about the lack of details. Democrat senator Diane Feinstein was one of Proposition 215's staunchest opponents.

However, the fate of the proposition wasn't determined by the legislature; it was determined by the people. More than five million Californians, roughly 56 percent of the entire state, voted for the legalization of medical marijuana. Soon enough, every county in California wholeheartedly, if not halfheartedly, accepted the voice of the people.

California followed with Senate Bill 420, which took effect in 2004 as the Medical Marijuana Program Act. Under the Act, a qualified patient may possess no more than eight ounces of dried pot and six (mature) or twelve (immature) pot plants. The Act also provided state protection for medical marijuana dispensaries, given that they dispense products with due requirements.

As of 2012, California remains as having the largest medical pot community in the country, with more than 553,000 patients (based on voluntary registration).

What Happened Before the Early 1900s Marijuana Ban

The story of medical marijuana has come full circle. From a tumultuous period of prohibition and outlawing, renewed interest in making the drug legal for medicinal use once more has resurged in the 1970s. It basically ended more than 60 years of prohibiting marijuana, which began when Massachusetts became the first state to outlaw it in 1911.

By “full circle,” however, it means modern society’s take on medical marijuana returned to the pre-prohibition period. Records of marijuana use for treating ailments existed as early as 2900 B.C., particularly during the Zhou Dynasty. Emperor Fu Xi described cannabis (“ma” in Chinese) to “possess both yin and yang.” The Chinese are known for taking yin and yang seriously.

Legalization of Medical Marijuana: Where It Stands

A wide variety of benefits come from the use of medical marijuana to treat certain illnesses. Medical cannabis may be prescribed to treat seizure disorders, muscle spasms due to multiple sclerosis, pain due to arthritis, and even nausea as a result of cancer chemotherapy sessions. Unfortunately, despite these numerous medical advantages, only 20 US states so far have legalized medical marijuana.

Getting a Medical Marijuana Card in California

California has no state regulation or set standard when it comes to the cultivation and/or distribution of medical marijuana. Rules, regulations, and guidelines are the responsibility of each county in The Golden State. As of May 2013, only three counties do not implement their own medical marijuana programs, namely Mariposa, Sutter, and Colusa. In Colusa, medical marijuana dispensaries are completely banned.

In any case, here are the steps on how to register for a medical marijuana card elsewhere in California:

Legal Medical Marijuana Regulations in Arizona

In the US, a total of 20 states now permit the use of medical marijuana for certain conditions. Regulations on medical marijuana use vary from state to state. In Arizona, for example, patients with qualifying conditions are allowed to possess no more than 2.5 ounces of medical cannabis within a 14-day period.

When the Use of Marijuana is Legal

The use of marijuana, which is otherwise known as cannabis among many other names, is illegal in most parts of the world. However, in certain places of the United States, laws were made to allow and regulate its consumption. It must be clear, though, that such legal and controlled use of the herbal medicine is applicable only to medical but not recreational purposes.

States such as Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington do not prohibit the use of marijuana. The drug, after all, can form a part of the therapy designed to relieve and treat medical conditions. Medical marijuana, for instance, can help chemotherapy patients with their ordeal by reducing occurrences of nausea and vomiting.

Marijuana, as the name suggests, comes from the marijuana plant. While it can ease discomfort brought about by certain medical conditions, it is not without harmful effects. The use of this herbal medicine is regulated partly because it can impair cognitive development and it can be addicting too.

Part of the efforts to make sure that the herbal medicine is administered properly is the existence of medical marijuana dispensaries. These are offices located in academic and medical institutions, among other places, which give out medicines and medical supplies. Through such dispensaries, patients with a valid need for medical marijuana are able to receive their prescribed doses of the herbal medicine which help address their physical discomforts.

The Legalization of Medical Marijuana: An Overview

If the world adhered to traditional Chinese medical practices, the current debate over marijuana use probably would not be as heated. In Ancient China, marijuana was part of an herbal treatment targeting afflictions such as gout, rheumatism, hemorrhage, and parasitic infection, among others. However, the United States follows the principles of Western medicine, and marijuana had no place in healthcare here until November 5, 1996, when the state of California established a medical marijuana program under Proposition 215 or the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.

Under this law, California locals suffering from migraines, muscular spasticity, and other medical conditions are allowed to have marijuana in their possession, provided that they have a physician's recommendation to use it for the treatment of their health disorders. The law names the maximum amount of marijuana one can possess: no more than 8 ounces in its dried form. After California legalized medical marijuana use, it wasn't long before other states—including Alaska, Oregon, and Washington—followed suit.

While legal medical marijuana is permitted in the aforementioned states, marijuana possession can be considered unlawful if an individual cannot produce a prescription duly signed by a medical practitioner that details his or her need for access to the substance. For this reason, newly established clinics and facilities are recommended by experts to have a medicine dispensing system in place that's compliant with medical marijuana dispensary laws. With this, marijuana abuse is unlikely to take place.

Finding a Reputable Medical Marijuana Dispensary

Most states in the US now legalize and regulate the sale of medical marijuana, or cannabis, as it has proven to be an effective alternative medication that has many applications. The sale of this treatment is done through a registered dispensary, and the number of available locations may differ from state or county to another.

The first step to finding a dispensary should be to familiarize yourself with your own state's laws, particularly because each locality might have different allowed amount of cannabis. Moreover, varying states and counties also have varying processes and conditions that a person should follow if he wants to get the sufficient amount.

If you are required to be registered, visit your local registry office to get your name signed up. You should look for any friends or family members who have already registered and find out more about the requirements and restrictions even before you go to the registry. This way you will already have an idea on whether you will be approved or not.

After your approval for medical marijuana intake, look for reputable dispensaries near you over the Internet, but don't forget to consult your doctor as well. Ask your trusty physician if taking this medication for your condition will give you any side effects or not.

Some Truths about Medical Marijuana

Recent polls show that more and more Americans are agreeing to legalize marijuana use. About 40 percent of the survey respondents admitted to having tried marijuana at least once. The truth is that no definite law legalizes the use of this addictive substance.

However, scientists and lawmakers cannot deny the fact that marijuana has certain medical uses, which makes medical marijuana an important type of drug that is now legal in many states. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana has psychoactive or mind-altering properties that make it an effective ingredient for treating nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy and stimulating appetite in HIV/AIDS patients with wasting syndrome.

Some of the conditions for which marijuana is touted as a promising treatment include multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, and obesity. Recent studies even prove that marijuana and its active ingredients have the power to treat addiction itself. The benefits of this drug, however, can only be enjoyed through proper use as strictly prescribed by a physician.

To ensure legal compliance with the standards on marijuana distribution for medication, medical marijuana dispensaries employ automated and highly secure medicine dispensing systems. Any person who requires medical marijuana use is given only the amount needed for his or her medication. Exceeding the limit may lead to certain legal charges.

Up in Smoke: On Marijuana as Medicine

The cannabis plant is well-known for its use as marijuana, a psychoactive drug. The drug is best known as the substance of choice for those looking for a quick “high,” although in recent times, people have been pushing for the drug's use as a legal form of medicine. Indeed, marijuana reportedly has numerous health benefits, many of which are quite well-documented.

Due to its nature as a psychoactive drug, marijuana is a natural fit as a pain reliever. Researchers much later on found out that the drug had other interesting effects which could alleviate certain conditions. For one, studies suggest that cannabis can treat ailments such as intra-ocular pressure caused by glaucoma, muscle spasms, breast cancer, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and more.

Interestingly, the drug was found to be an effective expectorant, which can be handy for those with mucus-lined throats and lungs. Marijuana was also found to be capable of acting as an anti-inflammatory analgesic, similar to the universal aspirin. Other studies noted the decrease of obesity rates among cannabis users (a rather curious side-effect, as the use of marijuana can induce hunger), and further research could lead to slimming supplements. Marijuana might be infamous as a recreational drug, but it certainly holds a lot of promise as a medicinal herb.