It’s been a little over a year now since recreational cannabis has been legal in the state of Maryland—and 10 years since medicinal cannabis was made available. Despite the longstanding criminalization and stigmatization of the substance commonly known as pot, weed, or marijuana, many consumers are starting to understand the low-risk benefits that come with enjoying it—whether they’re enjoying it medicinally or recreationally.
That said, although substantial research indicates that cannabis is relatively safe, it isn’t without its drawbacks. The first step to being a safe consumer is being informed.
Ready to learn? First, it’s important to understand the difference between medicinal and recreational cannabis. When you go to a dispensary for medicinal cannabis, you’ll take a note from your doctor saying you have a condition that could benefit from cannabis. An associate at the dispensary can then help you find a product that fits your needs, whether you prefer something you can smoke, eat, or use topically.
When you buy cannabis products for recreational use, you do not need a note from your doctor, but you are limited in the amount you can have; no more than 1.5 ounces.
Want to understand the benefits and risks of cannabis? Here’s what you should know:
Let’s look at the good…
- One of the primary benefits of cannabis is its ability to alleviate pain. This is especially important because it could replace high-risk pharmaceuticals, such as opioid painkillers. Unlike opioids, cannabis is not physically addictive and has never been linked to an overdose.
- Cannabis can treat nausea and improve appetite, a huge benefit for people who are struggling to maintain their weight because of chemotherapy treatments or an eating disorder.
- Cannabis is relaxing. It contains compounds called cannabinoids, specifically cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Although only THC will bind with receptors in your brain and produce that euphoric high typically associated with cannabis, CBD still produces a sense of calm because of the way it alters those receptors. CBD doesn’t produce paranoia, so it’s good for relieving anxiety, achieving focus, or falling asleep.
- Because of its ability to relieve muscle spasms, cannabis can be used to control the symptoms of conditions like epilepsy or multiple sclerosis (MS). Some athletes will even use microdoses of CBD to recover from an intense workout.
…And the bad.
- Smoking any substance does damage to your lungs. Although cannabis doesn’t have many of the additives that tobacco cigarettes do, it can still cause harm to the lungs, worsening the symptoms of conditions like asthma, bronchitis, or COPD. Some studies have shown that frequent smoking can scar the respiratory tissue.
- The relaxing effects of cannabis can cause lack of awareness and impair your reaction time, thus making it dangerous to drive a car or operate heavy machinery. If you’re under the influence, don’t get behind the wheel.
- Cannabis can have consequences for reproduction. Use of cannabis in any form has been linked to male infertility, and women who use cannabis while they are pregnant could harm the growth and development of their baby, leading to low birth weight.
- Because of the effect of cannabis on the brain, its long-term use could impair learning and memory. Additionally, many young people who are still developing (that is, under the age of 21) could suffer changes in brain structure, specifically in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision making. Some research shows cannabis use can worsen some mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Is cannabis the right option for you? If you’re unsure, consult with your doctor so you can discuss the specific benefits and risks that are most applicable to your situation. This can help you make the best choice you feel comfortable and confident about.
Is “cannabis” or “marijuana” the proper term?
Cannabis is the formal name and one that’s preferred by many experts, though you will often see marijuana in formal contexts. However, marijuana was a term coined in the 1930s, when politicians pushed to prohibit cannabis and wanted to make it sound dangerous by giving it a made-up Spanish-sounding name, thus linking it to Mexican immigrants. Because of this history, many advocates prefer the term cannabis.
