CANNABIS PRODUCTS

Buying Cannabis in Canada: An Informative Overview

In Canada, purchasing cannabis online has become a straightforward process, offering consumers access to a range of products at competitive prices.

Understanding Cannabis in Canada

Cannabis refers to products derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, which encompasses dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds. This plant contains over 500 chemical compounds, one of the most notable being Cannabidiol (CBD).

The term “marijuana” specifically denotes parts of the Cannabis sativa plant that have significant levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—the primary psychoactive component responsible for the “high” associated with its use. While “cannabis” can refer to all products from the plant, not all cannabis is classified as marijuana, as it doesn’t necessarily contain THC.

In the United States, marijuana remains one of the most widely used substances, particularly among young adults. Data from 2021 revealed that 35.4% of individuals aged 18 to 25 reported using marijuana within the previous year. However, there is still much to learn about its long-term and short-term effects.

Is Marijuana a Hallucinogen?

Historically, marijuana (specifically due to THC) has been classified as a hallucinogen. Nevertheless, not all users experience hallucinations akin to those produced by other hallucinogens, such as LSD or psilocybin. When hallucinations do occur, they are often distinct from those induced by traditional hallucinogens, indicating that marijuana may affect perception differently.

Medical Cannabis in Canada

While several states in Canada have established laws regulating the use of marijuana for medical purposes primarily aimed at symptom management its classification varies significantly. Medical applications of marijuana may include:

– Relief from chronic pain, especially neuropathic pain, potentially reducing opioid use.
– Alleviating nausea as an antiemetic.
– Managing symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), such as spasticity.
– Serving as an appetite stimulant.

The Canadian  Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes Cannabis in Canada as a Schedule I substance, indicating it has no recognized medical uses and a high potential for addiction. Consequently, healthcare providers are unable to prescribe marijuana directly, though they may certify its use for specific medical conditions in states that permit it.

While the FDA has not approved marijuana to treat any specific medical conditions, it has sanctioned certain purified compounds derived from cannabis. Notable FDA-approved products include:

– Cannabidiol (Epidiolex®): Designed to control seizures in individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome, both rare types of epilepsy.
–Dronabinol (Marinol®) and Nabilone (Cesamet®): These are prescribed to manage nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy, and Dronabinol additionally helps address appetite loss in individuals with HIV or AIDS.

It’s important to note that not all healthcare providers or hospital systems offer certification for medical Cannabis in states where it is legal, largely due to insufficient research and clinical trials assessing its medical efficacy.