Florida patients will have much greater access to medical marijuana now that Governor Rick Scott has signed Amendment 2 into law. However, there is some confusion regarding medical marijuana and the different ways that it can help Floridians. Some people may be interested in the benefits of medical marijuana, but leery of the psychoactive effects associated with consuming marijuana. For these patients, and many others, CBD treatments offer the potential to gain many of the therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana, while avoiding the sensations traditionally associated with consumption.
What are CBD and THC?
CBD and THC are two of the compounds found in cannabis that have been getting a lot of attention in the news lately for their potential health and wellness benefits. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the compound that creates the effects traditionally associated with consuming cannabis. While both interact with the endocannabinoid system (which plays a role in the regulation of appetite, mood, memory, pain-sensation, and more), THC interacts with it more intensely than CBD. THC has a number of medical applications, including assisting patients with chemotherapy, MS, glaucoma, and other conditions.
CBD, or cannabidiol, also provides a number of therapeutic benefits for patients, but does not create the same psychoactive effects as THC. Therefore, it can be a good option for Floridians experiencing inflammation, pain, anxiety, paranoia, epilepsy, and digestive issues, among other conditions. Different strains of marijuana have different ratios of THC to CBD. Because different conditions respond better to different treatments, there are instances where a high CBD strain of cannabis can be life changing for patients. One example of such a time involves a breed of marijuana called Charlotte’s Web.
CBD at Work: The Story of Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web is named after the patient it was bred to help, and was the first type of medical marijuana allowed under Florida’s previous laws. Charlotte Figi was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome and, as a result, experienced around 300 seizures per week. She was one of the featured subjects of CNN’s 2013 documentary “Weed.”
Charlotte’s parents began administering CBD in 2011 with tremendous results, but they still faced a problem; most cannabis strains are bred to be high in THC and low in CBD. The search for a high CBD strain lead to the Stanley brothers, who were able to provide the little girl with the cannabis that now bears her name. When Gov. Rick Scott signed Florida’s first medical marijuana legislation into law in 2014 the bill was named after this type of marijuana.
Applications for THC and CBD
THC and CBD are both thought to have different beneficial medical effects, but each substance works better in different situations. So how can a medical marijuana patient in Florida know which is best for them?
Best Uses for Higher THC Products
Marijuana high in THC has been shown to be effective in a number of different situations. THC has powerful neuroprotectant, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, bronchodilator, anti-spasmodic, and muscle relaxing properties. Additionally, it has been demonstrated to have anti-cancer qualities, preventing cancer cells from developing the network of blood vessels they need to grow and spread.
THC has been recommended for many different situations, including:
- Chemotherapy
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Glaucoma
- Pain management
- Appetite stimulation
- Autism
- ADHD
- Depression
- Insomnia
As you can see, there are a number of different ways that THC has been used in the past. A qualified Florida physician can help you understand if THC can help you.
Best Uses for Higher CBD Products
CBD products are thought to have a wider list of potential applications than THC because of the lack of strong psychoactive effects. CBD doesn’t bond as well with the cannabinoid receptors in the body, but instead works to keep the parts of the endocannabinoid system communicating with each other. CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant anticonvulsant, antiemetic, and antipsychotic properties, and has been recommended in many different situations, including:
- Neuroinflammation
- Vomiting/Nausea
- Anxiety
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular health
- Headaches
- Paranoia
- Pain management
That’s a long list, and the number of issues that CBD can help with seems to be growing every day. If you are or are thinking of becoming a medical marijuana patient in Florida, the Marijuana Doctor medical staff can help you determine which cannabis product is right for you.
