If you’ve read about medical marijuana, you’ve likely heard about THC. THC is the best-known ingredient in the cannabis plant, and healthcare professionals use it in many different cannabis products. The question is, how much THC is in medical marijuana—and is it good for you?
What You Should Know About Medical Marijuana and THC
Before you use any over-the-counter or prescription drugs, it’s critical to understand what they are and how they work. Popping pills and gulping down fluids without knowing recommended dosages and potential side effects can put your body at risk. THC-infused medicinal products are no different.
What Is THC?
You probably know what medical cannabis is and that people have been using it for centuries to help with pain. But you may not know about the main psychoactive compound in marijuana called THC. So, what exactly is THC, and what does it do?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (better known as THC) is the chemical compound found in marijuana that produces the psychoactive effects of being “high.” It acts on specific receptors in the brain called cannabinoid receptors, the main types of which are CB1 and CB2. When THC activates CB1 and CB2 receptors, it can help your immune system function effectively without the dangerous side effects of opioids.
What Can Cannabis Products With THC Help With?
The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program allows patients with certain medical conditions to use THC products. If you suffer from any of the following health problems, you could be eligible to obtain medical marijuana:
- AIDS
- HIV
- PTSD
- Alzheimer’s
- Parkinson’s
- Crohn’s
- Cancer
- Autism
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Sickle-cell anemia
- Spinal cord injury
This is by no means an exhaustive list of qualifying medical conditions. Other examples of health issues that medical marijuana can help with include muscle spasms, chronic pain, and persistent nausea or vomiting.
How Can You Consume THC Products?
When it comes to consuming THC products, you have numerous options. Deciding which ones to use often depends on how much THC is in medical marijuana products. You’ll want to review your options with a healthcare provider to help you find the best one for you.
Most people consume THC in the following ways:
- Ingestion: Ingesting medical marijuana means eating or drinking something that contains cannabinoids. For example, you can consume THC in the form of gummies, brownies, cookies, pills, capsules, tinctures, and powders.
- Inhalation: You can inhale cannabis as a vapor (vaping) or smoke it through various means, such as joints or pipes. Some people prefer vaporizers over smoking when consuming marijuana because it produces fewer toxins.
- Topical application: Medical marijuana programs throughout the U.S. allow for topical applications. You can use creams, balms, salves, and other cannabinoid-infused substances to help with an affected area.
What Is the Appropriate THC Content?
According to a recent study, the vast majority of medical marijuana products in the U.S. have more than enough THC levels. You can help nerve pain with products containing a THC concentration of roughly 5%. However, mainstream medical cannabis products have an average THC content of about 19%—almost four times the necessary amount for pain relief.
The appropriate THC concentration typically depends on the condition you need help with.
Worse health problems usually require products with higher THC levels than relatively minor conditions. Medical marijuana experts can help you find the proper solution for your situation.
Visit a LeafMed Dispensary To Get the THC Products You Need
If you’re wondering, “How much THC is in medical marijuana?” you may also wonder where you can purchase the safest, most effective cannabis products. At LeafMed, we have government-approved dispensaries in Gulfport, Bay St. Louis, and Vicksburg to help you find the medical marijuana you need. Stop by a dispensary near you to survey your options.
Do you want to learn about the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act? Our knowledgeable staff is here to answer all your questions. Feel free to contact us today!