Chances are if you live in Canada and you’ve been smoking marijuana (either for medical reasons or recreationally) for any amount of time, you’ve at the very least heard of the famed ‘BC Bud.’ The province is definitely well known for the quality of their cannabis.
Canadians in BC (and across the rest of the nation) have been able to acquire marijuana for medical purposes legally since back in 1999.
Since then, the laws governing medical access have gone through quite a few changes, ultimately resulting in the new Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) that came into effect on August 24, 2016.
Acquiring Medicinal Marijuana in BC
Anyone who wishes to acquire a prescription for medicinal marijuana in British Columbia must first speak with their family physician (or one from a walk-in clinic that you frequent in the event you don’t have a family doctor). There are a wide range of conditions that can be treated with medicinal marijuana, such as anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, glaucoma, and cancer.
As long as you have a diagnosis from within the last five years for a condition that can be treated with cannabis, you should be able to acquire a prescription.
In the event that you run into problems getting your doctor to agree that cannabis could be beneficial for your symptoms, there are a few medical marijuana dispensaries located around the province that have their own in-house doctors who would be willing to do so. These dispensaries don’t just write prescriptions for anyone who walks through their door however – you’ll still need to provide proof that you have a legitimate medical need.
Once you have your prescription in hand, you’ll be able to visit one of the numerous medical dispensaries found throughout the province and register as a patient with them. With that out of the way, you will then be able to purchase your very own medicinal marijuana in whatever variety you prefer to use (dried cannabis, edibles, CBD oils, etc.).
The Amazing Benefits of Medicinal Marijuana
Perhaps you’re on the fence about whether or not a prescription for medicinal marijuana is the right choice for you. After all, even with the recent legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes across Canada, there is indeed still a certain taboo regarding cannabis consumption.
You’ll be happy to know that modern research has conclusively proven that medicinal marijuana does provide quite a few great health benefits. The two main chemical components known to provide the health benefits in marijuana are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). In general, THC produces a more ‘psycho-active’ high that is felt in the head, while the high from CBD is focused more in the body.
Each of these chemical compounds provides their own unique benefits and effects, as well as a few shared beneficial properties. In fact, studies have revealed that the most common reason that individuals request a prescription for medicinal marijuana is for relief from chronic pain. Fortunately, we now know that both THC and CBD have been found to be incredibly effective at relieving inflammation and chronic pain.
Here are a few more examples of proven beneficial effects that can be gained from both THC and CBD.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Benefits
Can help relieve anxiety and depression as THC binds to cannabinoid receptors found in your brain, which then produces sensations of relaxation and euphoria.
THC has also been found to be effective in aiding individuals who have issues with weight loss and a low appetite; this explains why it’s so commonly prescribed for cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment. High THC strains are also effective at managing the nausea associated with chemotherapy. Cannabis strains that are high in THC are also commonly prescribed for glaucoma patients. If you struggle with insomnia, then THC can help to remedy that as well.
Cannabidiol (CBD) Benefits
While THC can help individuals with insomnia to get a good night sleep, CBD is also incredibly effective as a treatment for insomnia. In fact, many users report having the best sleep they’ve ever had after trying CBD oil.
As the high from CBD is mostly felt in the body, it helps to promote relaxation and relief from conditions like chronic inflammation, arthritis pain, and migraines.
Cannabis strains high in CBD have been found to be a good treatment option for individuals who suffer from epilepsy. CBD is also effective at treating psychosis and a variety of other mental disorders.
Thanks for giving a post to BC. Cannabis access here in Canada is now so much better.
Thanks of the nice comment Enriqueta!