States Where Medical Marijuana Is Legal

What is medical marijuana? Cannabis is medicinal due to its cannabinoids, chemical compounds found naturally in the plant. Medical marijuana is medicine derived from the cannabis plant that is used to treat specific conditions and diseases. States with medical marijuana programs have passed legislation through their government to legalize the use of cannabis for medicinal use. These states have unique rules about who can grow, sell, and use medical cannabis. Each state runs its medical marijuana program independently. Everything from the formats of cannabis that qualified patients can consume to the number of cannabis plants patients can grow at home is governed by the state legislature. In many states where marijuana is recreationally legal, there are still programs exclusive to medical marijuana patients that provide them with access to higher potency products, greater cultivation allowances, and the ability to purchase more cannabis at one time. Qualifying conditions are the diagnosable conditions that patients may seek medical marijuana to help treat. Each state has a different list of qualifying conditions.

The following conditions are among the most commonly approved for use of medical cannabis. Approved in almost every state, cannabis has become widely recognized for its anti-seizure properties. The non-intoxicating cannabis compound called cannabidiol (CBD) has been found to significantly reduce seizure frequency—as much as 42%, according to a 2018 study. Many states may also approve cannabis, specifically CBD, for the treatment of pediatric epilepsy in minors. While research is still exploring the ways cannabis may treat cancer itself, most states now acknowledge its ability to abate symptoms relating to cancer and chemotherapy, including pain, nausea, and appetite loss. For cancer-related symptoms, many patients prefer cannabis products that contain a balance of THC or CBD. Some of the strongest advocates in the cannabis movement are patients with multiple sclerosis, as they’ve experienced firsthand the benefits cannabis has to offer. Cannabis has been found to alleviate many symptoms associated with MS, including pain, insomnia, inflammation, muscle spasms, abdominal discomfort, and depression.

Some of the earliest and most effective medical cannabis advocacy in the US was rooted in its ability to treat HIV/AIDS symptoms. It makes sense, then, that so many states have approved the condition for HIV/AIDS patients suffering symptoms like appetite loss, nausea, and fatigue. Medical cannabis has become widely approved for neurodegenerative diseases such as Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and glaucoma. For many suffering these debilitating diseases, cannabis can help restore quality of life by improving cognition and mobility, relieving spasticity and rigid muscles, and more. Although there are several different types of pain, many are approved by states as a qualifying condition. Check to make sure your state has approved the specific type of pain you experience, and note that cannabis affects each type of pain uniquely. However, many doctors and patients have found that cannabis products combining both THC and CBD tend to be most effective. Nausea is a commonly approved condition for medical cannabis, although there are nuances in its definition from state to state. For example, some states approve cannabis for nausea at a broad level, while others require “severe” or “intractable” symptoms.

THC in particular is known to relieve nausea and vomiting—just be mindful of your dose, especially when using edibles. Too much THC can worsen nausea. Cachexia, or “wasting syndrome,” is a condition that typically accompanies cancer and HIV/AIDs, and is characterized by appetite and weight loss along with weakness and fatigue. Given that cannabis—especially THC-rich varieties—has the potential to alleviate symptoms like these, it’s no surprise that so many states include cachexia in their qualifying conditions. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that is often expressed in panic episodes and hypervigilance, in addition to mood and sleep disturbances. In the right dose, and most often with high levels of CBD, cannabis can ease PTSD-related anxiety. Cannabis before bedtime has also been known to help patients fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and suppress nightmares. What are the benefits of having a medical marijuana card in a legal state? As states across the nation begin to fully legalize adult-use cannabis, many may be wondering how this impacts medical cannabis dispensaries and card holders. What does it mean to be a medical cannabis patient in a world where anyone can walk into a recreational dispensary, present their state ID, and legally purchase cannabis?

Is the hassle of visiting a doctor for a medical card still worth it? Are there any real benefits? The answer is yes—there are many real benefits for medical cannabis card holders. From dosage to access and affordability, patients will find plenty of support for their ongoing care on the medical side of cannabis legality. A major benefit offered by many states’ medical dispensaries is lower cost for patients, which is extremely important for people who rely on cannabis for medical issues. Imagine needing life-improving medication, but not having it covered by your insurance—that is the reality of medical cannabis patients all over the country. Now imagine your medicine was also highly taxed and thus very expensive since it also doubled as a recreational joy for many people—that would be the reality of patients if they only had access to recreational dispensaries. Medical cannabis dispensaries allow concessions for patients that recreational shops do not. An example of this can be seen in Colorado, where medical cannabis patients avoid the 10% retail marijuana tax and 15% excise tax that recreational dispensary costumers must pay.