The Different Types of Medical Marijuana and Their Effects

If you’re new to medical marijuana, it helps to know that there are two strains of marijuana: Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa. Established in the 18th century, these two classifications were made by scientists who noted definite differences in the two strains’ makeup and resin production, appearance, flowering time, flavor, and yields.

The Two Strains Explained
Cannabis professionals and many medical marijuana users claim that the two strains vary greatly in the effects they deliver and the symptom relief they provide. In the medical marijuana community, the Indica strain is known to provide a sedative effect, providing a full-body relaxation and calm. The Sativa strain, on the other hand, has an uplifting, energizing effect. For people suffering from chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, fibromyalgia, or nausea, the Indica strain tends to provide the most symptom relief. For people with depression, ADHD, fatigue, or other mood disorders, the Sativa strain is the best option.

Is There Really a Difference?
Some scientists believe that there is no real difference in the effects provided by the two strains. They claim that the differing effects aren’t really rooted in reality, but in what the user expects the effects to be. Whether this claim is true or not is still up for debate, but what is known is that cannabis affects each person differently – regardless of the strain.
If you’re in San Bruno or elsewhere in San Mateo County and have a valid medical marijuana card, be sure to visit Elevated of San Francisco to learn more about how our cannabis products can help you find relief from your symptoms. Elevated serves patients by providing quality marijuana products and a personalized in-store experience.

A Short History on Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana has been around since ancient times. The ancient Chinese talk about cannabis and its therapeutic properties for gout, constipation, rheumatism, and senility in old writings. In fact, Chinese Emperor and pharmacologist, Shennong, described using cannabis for medical reasons in a book published in 2737 BC.

Medical Marijuana in the United States
​Medical marijuana has always been considered a viable treatment option in the United States. Unfortunately, in 1937, the federal government outlawed its use in defiance of the American Medical Association. From that point, medical cannabis was only available to a select few through the Investigational New Drug (IND) program. Once part of the program, patients could receive up to nine pounds of marijuana a year.
For years, the American public was largely blocked from obtaining marijuana for medical use. It wasn’t until the 1990s that voters began demanding that the weed be legalized for medical purposes. California, through Proposition 215, became the first state to legalize medical marijuana in 1996. Since California’s bold move in the late ’90s, dozens of other states have followed suit and made medical marijuana legal.
Today, more than half of the US population has access to cannabis as a medical treatment. The sad news is that at a federal level, marijuana of any kind is still illegal. In October 2009, however, the federal government stated it would not penalize citizens who hold valid medical marijuana cards or the distributors who follow state laws.
If you live in San Francisco or Daly City and you hold a medical marijuana card, Elevated of San Francisco is the best marijuana dispensary in the area. Offering a wide array of cannabis products for both medical treatment and recreational use, every visitor is sure to find exactly what they’re looking for.