Finding the Most Effective Cannabis for Pain Management in Maryland
Cannabis sales in Maryland of 10 grams or less for medical and recreational use is legal. Marijuana was decriminalized in 2013, and since that time, thousands of people have turned to medical marijuana or cannabis for pain management. Recreational use of cannabis is wonderful, but many people prefer to use medical marijuana for pain relief instead of addictive opioid drugs. The opioid crisis even pushed many people toward marijuana use, since it’s proven to be more effective and less addictive. Cannabis has even been prescribed to treat opioid disorders and opioid addiction.
How do chronic pain sufferers know which strains to pick when they’re not necessarily trying to elevate their mood but to reduce physical pain due to a recent injury, surgery, fibromyalgia, or another health setback? And how do they find these specific strains if they live in Maryland?
Which Cannabis Strains are Best for Pain Management?
For inexperienced cannabis users, it can be difficult to ascertain if they should use Cannabis indica, Cannabis sativa or hybrid strain of the two types for pain relief. Fortunately, expert users have the answer. 95 randomly chosen cannabis users were asked which strains of marijuana they prefer for chronic pain in a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Overwhelmingly, medical marijuana users chose Cannabis indica for pain management and better sleep, while Cannabis sativa was better for mood and energy.
Cannabis Indica for Pain
Part of the reason it is difficult to pinpoint which strains of cannabis to use is because there are 568 unique molecules (and counting) in cannabis. The molecules of interest for pain management are cannabinoids, a type of compound that works with the body’s own pain receptors and the endocannabinoid system. There are 60 identifiable cannabinoids in cannabis. Researchers are still learning about the different chemical compounds and how they interact with
the body.
The “magic” molecules that really seem to make a difference in pain management are cannabidiol (CBD), 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and additional cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. THC is the molecule responsible for the “high” feeling that accompanies use of medical marijuana, and CBD has zero hallucinatory or euphoric effects. Both compounds can help with inflammation and reduce pain.
With all the strains of cannabis and their interesting names, like Green Monkey, Purple Diesel, or Blue Moon, it can be difficult to know which strain to choose. The THC:CBD ratio is what is relevant when choosing, and for different types of pain, different strains will work better. The only way to know for sure how a cannabis strain will work with your body is to experiment with small doses and talk to a reputable dispensary about which strains they’ve found are most helpful to people who are suffering from chronic pain.
Moreover, it’s hard to find consistency in cannabis strains, so once you purchase your cannabis at a dispensary, and you find a brand and type that works for you, it’s best to stick with that brand in order to get the most reliable results. Read the labels of the cannabis product you are buying and ask the dispensary about any concerns you have about the THC or CBD levels. Getting the exact THC:CBD ratio right will depend on your pain management needs. For instance, if you need a lower THC level to deal with a sports injury or a higher level combined with CBD for chemotherapy pain management.
Locating Cannabis Strains that Help with Pain in Maryland
There are more than 50 different cannabis dispensaries in Maryland. https://weedmaps.com/dispensaries/in/united-states/maryland shows you exactly where to find medical marijuana and pain-relieving cannabis strains that contain both THC and CBD. You can find cannabis storefronts, curbside delivery, and many dispensaries allow you to order online. Weedmaps also indicates if a dispensary offers medical marijuana or only sells recreational strains as per their license.
You may not find the exact strain you’ve read about online, but you can find one with about the same chemical constituents.
For example, a hybrid marijuana strain called White Widow contains both South Indian Cannabis indica and South American Cannabis sativa. This might be a good choice for those who not only want to decrease pain, but also elevate their mood and reduce depression and anxiety, because oftentimes, physical pain can be accompanied by mental distress.
For other people suffering from chronic pain, they may want a strain that has more CBD to reduce inflammation and that doesn’t have euphoria-inducing THC, so that they can administer their medical marijuana while working, caring for children, or operating heavy equipment.
Knowing where to find the right strain of cannabis for your chronic pain comes down to doing a little research, asking plenty of questions when you visit a dispensary, and trying out a few strains until you find the one that’s best for you.