4 Myths About Medical Cannabis And CBD
The stigma surrounding cannabis has been so prevalent that even though marijuana was widely used for medical purposes in the 19th and early 20th centuries until it was restricted in the U.S. in 1937, it's only recently that the scientific community has begun to study en masse the effectiveness of cannabis for medical purposes. Yet, despite the growing acceptance of this natural product, there are still many myths surrounding it, particularly about medical cannabis vs. CBD or cannabidiol, an active ingredient in cannabis. Here are four common myths.
MYTH: Medical Cannabis and CBD are the same thing.
A prevalent myth that is becoming increasingly debunked as people become more familiar with cannabis is that cannabis and CBD are the same thing. CBD or cannabidiol is one of 113 identified cannabinoids, a chemical compound identified within the cannabis plant, and it makes up about 40% of the plant's extract, which makes it only a part of the whole cannabis plant. Medical cannabis, on the other hand, refers to the use of the entire cannabis plant and the extracts from the plant for the treatment of illnesses.
MYTH: CBD and Medical Cannabis both make you high.
This is another myth that is being increasingly debunked as the average person becomes more familiar with the world of cannabis. Medical cannabis contains THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is one of the 113 identified cannabinoids, like CBD, found in cannabis. However, THC is the cannabinoid that has psychoactive properties and is responsible for the euphoria cannabis users feel. CBD does not.
MYTH: Medical Cannabis is the same as recreational cannabis.
As mentioned, the term medical marijuana refers to the use of the entire cannabis plant and the extracts from the plant for the treatment of illnesses. It's not the same as the cannabis used recreationally. For example, medical cannabis typically contains a higher CBD content than recreational marijuana while recreational cannabis typically contains a higher THC content. Growers of medical cannabis try to develop strains of the plant that contain the most medically beneficial characteristics rather than the psychoactive characteristics that many recreational growers are trying to achieve.
MYTH: Medical cannabis is dangerous and will lead to increased drug use.
One of the most prevalent myths about medical marijuana is that it's a dangerous drug that will lead its user down the path to more dangerous drug use. There is no scientific evidence to support this theory. However, there is evidence that shows medical cannabis has no life-threatening side effects and that there has never been a reported overdose death from the use of cannabis alone. Additionally, studies show that the majority of cannabis users don't go on to use other harder drugs.
Consult local medical cannabis services for more information about cannabis and CBD.
