How Does Medical Marijuana Work – Is It Safe?

Every state has specific laws regarding the use of medical marijuana. While more than two-thirds of U.S. states have already legalized it for medical treatments, the rest are now considering doing the same. That said, you must have a medical diagnosis for a condition, reviewed by a licensed cannabis-certified physician, in your official medical records to register for a Medical Marijuana (MMJ) card, even in the legalized states.

To put things into further context, let’s review what medical marijuana is, how it works for us, and how safe it is to use in our routine life.

What is Medical Marijuana?

Medical marijuana consists of the dried parts of Cannabis sativa plants. These plants contain more than a hundred chemicals, referred to as cannabinoids, and each of these elements induce a different effect on our bodies. In essence, medical marijuana is similar to recreational marijuana. However, the prior product is specifically taken for medical purposes since humans have expertly turned it into a herbal remedy.

The key ingredients of medical marijuana that medical experts primarily focus upon include delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Simply put, while THC is the main element that makes us feel high, CBD doesn’t prompt any mind-altering symptoms.

Forms of Medical Marijuana

There can be various ways to take medical marijuana. However, each method differs in terms of how much you should consume and what side effects you might feel. That’s why it is imperative to see a medical marijuana doctor for consultation and follow their precise instructions to prevent overdosing yourself. 

The common ways to take the drug include:

  • Using a vaporizing spray to inhale it through the device
  • Smoking the leaves
  • Taking pills or liquid medication
  • Baking or placing it inside foods, like brownies or lollipops
  • Applying it on your skin in the form of oil, lotion, cream, or spray
  • Placing a few drops (recommended dosage) of the liquid drug under the tongue


You are usually given the option to choose your preferred way of consuming medical marijuana upon visiting the doctor. However, it’s best to remember that some methods, like smoking or vaporizing, react more quickly than others, like consuming them in food.

What is Medical Marijuana Prescribed for?

Taking into account the multiple studies conducted by renowned researchers, medical marijuana can effectively treat a number of different conditions. For example, the common ones include:

  • Cancer
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Eating disorders
  • PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Glaucoma
  • Epilepsy
  • Muscle spasms
  • Seizures
  • Nausea
  • Multiple sclerosis

How Does Medical Marijuana Work to Treat Ailments?

The chemicals in medical marijuana, cannabinoids, start affecting our system when they connect with specific parts of our cells, called receptors. These cannabinoid receptor cells are typically found in our brain and immune system, and they’re involved in controlling our memory, appetite, movement, and pain.

The current studies suggest that medical marijuana helps our system in the following ways:

  • Reduces anxiety
  • Minimizes inflammation and pain
  • Kills cancer cells while slowing tumor growth
  • Stimulates appetite to improve metabolism 
  • Cancels out virus and bacteria that impact our immune systems, like HIV and AIDS
  • Relaxes muscles
  • Controls nausea and vomiting
  • Controls hard-to-treat seizures, especially in children

How Safe Is It to Use Medical Marijuana?

The question, “Is it safe to use medical marijuana?” doesn’t have a direct “yes” or “no” answer. There’s no doubt that the drug can help you immensely when dealing with a medical condition. However, that said, it’s still not alright to abuse the medication and neglect your doctor’s instructions since that can lead to severe consequences eventually.

Ultimately, as long as you comply with the instructions given by a medical marijuana doctor, there’ll be close to no side effects of the drug. However, the moment you start consuming medical marijuana like an addiction instead of herbal medicine, that’s when the problem begins.

A few side effects that you might encounter when taking medical marijuana in high doses, whether intentionally or unintentionally, include:

  • Dizziness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Hallucinations
  • Depression
  • Affected judgment and coordination

However, these conditions can be easily avoided when you report back to your doctor with your symptoms so they can adjust your dose more accordingly.

How to Get Medical Marijuana Near Me?

If you’re wondering how to buy the said drug for treating your medical conditions, the process is quite straightforward. You can search for “Medical marijuana near me” to reach out to the nearest dispensary after diagnosing your diseases and getting your MMJ card. For more information and queries, you can contact our medical marijuana specialists at Broward Alternative Health.

Leave a reply