Marijuana legalization is becoming increasingly common in the United States and around the world. However, many people who aren’t familiar with cannabis may still have a lot to learn about medical marijuana programs and how they work. It’s understandable if you’re confused, as the state-by-state nature of the system in the U.S. can make it hard to know what the restrictions are, especially when you’re traveling. Given the harsh penalties that some states impose on cannabis use, you’ll definitely want to make sure you know the law before you light up. If you want to better understand medical marijuana, keep reading to find out where you can learn more.
Where can you learn more about medical marijuana?
With so much contradictory information out there, it’s understandable if you’re having a hard time finding a reliable place to learn about medical marijuana. Fortunately, there are trustworthy resources available both on and offline that can help you learn everything there is to know. One great example is American Marijuana, which was founded in 2014 by cannabis specialists, writers, and advocates.
American Marijuana has more than just information about medical marijuana. It’s also full of other great content like how-to guides, product reviews, and coverage of all kinds of cannabis-related news. If you have questions about any aspect of the use of marijuana, you’re likely to be able to find the answers on their website. You can even learn more about topics like federal law, recreational use, and cultivation. CBD enthusiasts will also find a lot to love about American Marijuana, as they have full reviews of all the top brands, as well as breakdowns on how different CBD products work.
What states permit marijuana use for medicinal purposes?
Though legalization is spreading quickly, particularly in the U.S., medical marijuana remains illegal in many states. Even in states that have legalized the medical use of cannabis products, there can be different rules and guidelines for patients to follow. This state-by-state approach has made it somewhat confusing for many medical marijuana patients to understand what they are and aren’t allowed to do. However, until a national policy is made that applies to all 50 states, it’s important for all cannabis users to stay up to date on the local laws in their area.
The use of cannabis for medical purposes is legal in 39 states at the moment, though some states only permit medical use of CBD oil, not marijuana or other cannabis products that contain THC. Medical cannabis remains illegal in any form in the following states: Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Wyoming. Medical cannabis use is restricted to CBD oil only in Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
It’s worth noting that some medical marijuana programs are incredibly restrictive. West Virginia only allows the use of marijuana for patients who have a terminal diagnosis. Other states, like Louisiana, don’t allow smokable marijuana to be purchased at all, opting to sell products like cannabis oils and pills instead. Another problem many states run into is that the prices of medical marijuana and fees associated with signing up for a statewide medical marijuana program exclude lower-income patients.
Though marijuana use is becoming more widespread in the U.S., there’s still a long way to go before full legalization. Medical marijuana patients may find that even though they’re permitted to use cannabis, there are still restrictions on what types of products they can buy and how much marijuana they’re allowed to purchase at once. There are even some states that restrict medical cannabis use to CBD oil exclusively. Until both medical and recreational use of marijuana are legalized on a federal level, it’s essential for cannabis users to stay informed about their local laws.