Different Types of Medical Marijuana Plants

There are different types of medical marijuana plants with designer hybrids and strains used to treat certain conditions. This stems from the legal use of medical Cannabis and cannabidiol CBD. There are now 32 states in the United States with legal use. Each of these states has established a board that approves the medical conditions that can be treated with cannabis products. The National Institute on Drug Abuse researches specific marijuana varieties, strains, and chemotypes. If you have a debilitating medical condition that is listed in your state, you would need to obtain a medical marijuana card before you can access any of the different strains.

Let's explore the different types of medical Cannabis and their key components.

Cannabis Types and Cannabinoids: There are two main species of cannabis plants: Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. These plants contain various cannabinoids, which are biologically active chemicals. The most common ones are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the primary intoxicating component, while CBD is traditionally considered nonintoxicating and nonpsychoactive but may have anxiolytic properties.

Medical Uses:

Multiple Sclerosis: Medical Cannabis, particularly formulations with THC and CBD, has shown benefits in reducing spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.
Medicinal Cannabis: Patients use it for various conditions, including pain management, anxiety, sleep disorders, and even psychosis.
Weight Loss: While not directly related to cannabis types, some studies suggest that cannabis use may reduce opioid use, potentially aiding in weight loss.
Healthcare Professionals: Healthcare providers are crucial in certifying patients for medical cannabis use, following state-specific processes.
Federal Law: Despite state-level legalization, Cannabis remains federally illegal in the United States, creating legal complexities.

Different Types of Medical Marijuana Plants:

Indica: Known for calming and relaxing effects, patients use Indica strains for pain relief and relaxation.
Sativa: Energizing and invigorating, Sativa strains may help with focus and creativity.
Hybrid: A mix of indica and sativa, hybrids offer a balance of effects.

Remember to consult healthcare professionals and adhere to local laws when considering medical Cannabis. Finding the right strain based on individual needs and symptoms is essential.

Medical Marijuana Doctor Evaluation

Before you are given the card, a qualified medical marijuana doctor will review your case. If the doctor believes your approved medical condition would benefit from medical cannabis treatment, you will be given a medical marijuana card. The card allows you to walk into dispensaries and request high-quality medical marijuana that has been cultivated and processed under the most hygienic conditions.

Dispensaries Have a Variety of Products from Different Types of Medical Marijuana Plants

When you get to the dispensary with your medical marijuana card, you will see various products. They have different active ingredients and fancy names, such as White Widow, Sour Diesel, or Granddaddy Purple. Cannabis plants include Indica, Sativa, and hybrid options, which can confuse many. The dispensary should have someone knowledgeable enough to advise you on the different types of cannabis strains. Differentiating between one with cerebral effects, body effects, or a hybrid determines what is best for your pain, nausea, muscle spasms, or other conditions. However, you should also have some knowledge of the available strains so you can make an informed decision. This guide provides all you need to know about the different strains and their unique properties. For dosing tips on a specific strain, visit our post 4 Ways to Dose Your Medical Marijuana. The two main strains of marijuana products are Sativa and Indica.

Indica vs Sativa

Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica are the most famous varieties of medical Cannabis. These two varieties are responsible for most of the marijuana strains you'll see in your local dispensary. Aside from differences in physical characteristics, Indica vs Sativa also differ in their cannabinoid profiles. These differences are ultimately reflected in their therapeutic activities and psychoactive effects. Much of today's medical marijuana market is dominated by hybrids of Indica vs Sativa. By crossbreeding these two varieties, the breeder can create strains combining the different characteristics of both to give users excellent therapeutic options.

The Pure Cannabis Sativa

You'll hardly see pure Cannabis sativa strains on the shelves of your local dispensary. For one thing, pure Cannabis sativa plants could prove challenging to cultivate. The plant does not do well in cold conditions. They are primarily grown in equatorial regions like Mexico, Colombia, and some parts of Southeast Asia. Users of this variety commonly experience paranoia and palpitations. These could turn out very bad if the individual already has a history of heart disease. Thus, most people stay away from this variety.

Availability is Limited

Although the availability is limited, pure Cannabis Sativa is reported to work well for people who have chronic fatigue syndrome or severe depression. The uplifting effects of this variety are well documented. If large quantities of pure Sativa are consumed, the individual may exhibit signs similar to those of people who drink excess caffeine. As mentioned earlier, the side effects of pure C. Sativa make it less desirable for medicinal applications. Its seeds are, however, still beneficial for breeders. They are genetically stable, enabling breeders to create custom C. Sativa hybrids.

Sativa Dominant Hybrid

Breeders have cross-pollinated Sativa hybrids in controlled conditions. Many hybrid strains have been obtained using pure Sativa seeds, and they have unique characteristics such as great tastes, exotic smells, and varying stimulant effects. The pure Sativa seeds are cross-pollinated with C. Indica, but they chiefly retain the strains of C. Sativa, hence the 'Sativa dominant hybrid tag.' Some of the popular dominant hybrids that have been widely embraced in the world of medical marijuana include Burmese, Malawi Gold, Acapulco, etc.

Uplifting Properties of Sativa Dominant Hybrids

The Sativa dominant hybrids are majorly used when the uplifting properties of Sativa are desired in medical marijuana. The paranoia that is usually experienced after ingesting or smoking pure Sativa is absent from the dominant hybrids. They are used in cases of depression or as an appetite stimulant. Many illegal users of Cannabis who have successfully switched to medical marijuana testify that the Sativa dominant hybrid strains give the perfect therapeutic effects. They also enjoy the standardized dosing that comes with buying your Cannabis from a licensed dispensary. There is little chance of overdosing on the medication when you buy your medical marijuana in this manner. However, you'll need a medical marijuana card before you can have access to medical marijuana in the state of Florida.

Pure Cannabis Indica

Pure Cannabis indica is ideally suited to indoor growth, making it possible for cultivation in America. This variety of Cannabis originates from the hash-producing countries, including but not limited to Morocco, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc. This variety of Cannabis is far more relevant in the medical world than the pure Sativa counterpart. It boasts a high concentration of CBD and a low concentration of THC. THC is responsible for most of the 'high' cannabis users experience after taking the drug, while CBD is responsible for most of its therapeutic effects. However, it should be noted that some synergy has been observed between the two compounds.

The pure C. Sativa works well for chronic pain and neuropathic pain relief. It also boasts impressive relaxing and sedating effects. Patients who have insomnia benefit significantly from these effects. The Hashplant, Pakistani, and Herijuana are typical examples of pure Cannabis indica strains.

Indica Dominant Hybrid

The Indica-dominant hybrid is a crossbreed of Cannabis indica and sativa that retains more Indica traits. It is the most revered in the medical world. It is easy to grow and highly effective medically, making it a favorite of patients and breeders. Even scientists and physicians confirm that the Indica-dominant hybrid benefits patients the most. The 'kush' strain is the most popular of the many Indica hybrid strains around. Others include Dutch Treat, Northern Lights, Romulan, Blueberry, etc.

Some Indica hybrids are obtained by crossbreeding Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis. These strains possess higher CBD levels than other hybrids and are useful in pain relief, severe inflammation, and insomnia.

Cannabis Ruderalis

Cannabis ruderalis is the least popular variety of Cannabis. Chemically, it shares similar characteristics with Cannabis indica, having low concentrations of THC and high concentrations of CBD. It originates from Central Russia and is commonly cultivated in the northern parts of the world. Its therapeutic effects are not as pronounced as those of the other two pure breeds. Therefore, it needs more interest from researchers and users. However, breeders find it helpful in producing different hybrids because of the high CBD content.

The different types of medical marijuana plants and their medical applications have been discussed above. If you want to have access to any of the breeds listed and more, all you need to do is obtain your Florida medical marijuana card. Once your card is issued, visit the local dispensary. Their knowledgeable staff members will help guide your options. You can contact the licensed marijuana doctors at Kind Health to obtain your medical marijuana card.

Looking for more information on medical marijuana and CBD oil for your medical condition? Check out our related article "5 Things You Need to Know about Medical Marijuana in Florida" for more information.

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