- CBD Oil & Medical Marijuana in Massachusetts – Is it Legal?
CBD Oil & Medical Marijuana in Massachusetts – Is it Legal?
The CBD oil Massachusettsconsumers are buying are contributing to a nationwide trend that is sweeping the nation. Named by The Washington Post as the “new ‘it’ drug,” CBD has quickly seeped into health and wellness with researchers believing CBD may be used to ease ailments like depression, anxiety, chronic pain, nausea, and cancers. But what is CBD oil? And how does CBD oil differ from medical marijuana in Massachusetts? This article will answer it all.
What Is CBD? What’s The Buzz
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in cannabis. CBD is completely non-psychoactive meaning it does not cause users to feel “high.” The “high” sensation is caused by THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, another major cannabinoid of cannabis. Researchers believe there are some 113 or cannabinoids that make up the cannabis plant.
CBD has recently picked up traction because numerous studies suggest it may help alleviate major illnesses like HIV, cancer, chronic pain, anxiety and depression. Because of its the low levels of THC,CBD oil Massachusetts users do not need to worry about CBD use showing up on drug tests or impeding their day-to-day activities.
Hemp Vs. Marijuana
What’s The Difference?
It is important for interestedCBD oil Massachusettsbuyers to know the difference between hemp and marijuana. Many people believe hemp and marijuana are the same because both come from the same family of plants known as cannabis. Aside from this shared similarity, the two are vastly different. While hemp can grow almost anywhere with soil and sunshine, marijuana needs to be grown in closely regulated environments. Marijuana is used in a limited to just recreational or medicinal use. Hemp however, may be used in a variety of applications like automobiles, body care, clothing, construction, food, and plastic.
What CBD oil Massachusetts consumers should be aware of most is the difference between CBD-hemp oil versus CBD-marijuana oil. CBD oil derived from hemp is extracted from hemp seeds. It contains low THC and high CBD levels and it is non-psychoactive. CBD oil derived from marijuana contains high levels of THC, it is psychoactive, and the oil is extracted from the marijuana plant’s flowers.
Is CBD Oil Legal in Massachusetts?
When answering the question “is CBD legal in Massachusetts?” it’s important to discuss the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is large, multifaceted piece of legislation, that is renewed by Congress roughly every five years. It shapes federal food and agricultural policy. The Farm Bills of importance to CBD are the 2014 and 2018 bills which removed hemp for the Controlled Substance Act and allowed for the legalization of hemp farming.
This mean that CBD oil is legal in all 50 states as long as the CBD being sold doesn’t contain more than 0.3% THC. At 0.3% THC, CBD is classified as hemp. Once CBD contains more than 0.3% THC it may be classified as marijuana. This is why it is important for CBD oil Maryland users to double check that they are purchasing from stores that sell hemp-derived CBD like Medix CBD.
Is Medical Marijuana Legal in Massachusetts?
Now it’s time to answer the million dollar, or in the case of the marijuana industry 31.4 billion dollars question: Is medical marijuana legal in Massachusetts. The answer is yes, it is.
Though medical marijuana has been legal in Maine since 1999, only patients suffering from a short list of pre-approved medical conditions could legally become certified. Now, anyone with a medical certification from their health care provider can buy medical cannabis. Patients can buy up to 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana per visit.
Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Massachusetts
At the time that the Medical Marijuana Massachusetts Initiative was set in motion in 2013, the state only allowed for 35 medical marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts and zero recreational dispensaries. Since then, close to 50 functioning marijuana dispensaries have opened up in the state with the highest concentration of dispensaries (six) being located in Boston, the state’s capital.
A good resource to finding how many and where the medical marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts are located is Pot Guide, an interactive directory of marijuana dispensaries. All a user has to do is type in their city into the search bar and the site will display the dispensaries located there.
Medical Marijuana Doctors in Massachusetts
In order to purchase medical marijuana in Massachusetts, residents must first find medical marijuana doctors in Massachusetts! Medical marijuana doctors are qualified physicians who have all of the rights and privileges to practice just like any other physician. In fact, medical marijuana doctors in Massachusetts will not, and perhaps should not, differ from any other medical practitioner — except that they are willing and qualified to recommend medical marijuana to patients.
When attempting to find medical marijuana doctors in Massachusetts, residents should look at for fraud. Not every physician is qualified to make recommendations on marijuana. Patients should ask to see a physicians qualifications and get referrals. Another good tip is to use the Leafly search directory. All users have to do is type in a city and a list of medical doctors that practice there will show.
Hemp For Pain Relief
There has been a growing amount of evidence, especially in the recent years that CBD may help with pain-relief. In fact, a team of scientists at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre published a study in 2018 in PAIN (The Journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain) concluding CBD was effective for pain relief.
An interview by Science Daily, a science newsletter based in Maryland, quotes Danilo De Gregorio, the first author of the study stating: “We found in animal models of chronic pain that low doses of CBD administered for seven days alleviate both pain and anxiety, two symptoms often associated in neuropathic or chronic pain.”
Hemp For Anxiety
We’ve all heard the phrase “stress kills!” Turns out, it’s true. Chronic stress can lead to not only high blood pressure but can it can increase the risk heart attack or stroke. Stress has been known to cause gastrointestinal discomfort, hair loss, and more. Since anxiety is a form of stress, experiencing it chronically will have a negative impact on your health.
A report by the National Institute of Mental Health, reveals that nearly 40 millions Americans suffer from anxiety making them an epidemic in the United States. Anxiety disorders can come in many different shapes and forms. The most prevalent types are listed below:
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Panic Disorder
Anxiety disorder consisting of “attacks” that cause people to feel intense fear, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations
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Social Phobia
Fear of interacting and socializing with other people
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
A sense of agony and distress that is brought on for no particular reason
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Disorder that causes people to feel obsessive and compulsive towards thoughts, objects, or emotions
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Depression
Long-term feelings of extreme sadness or a downward mood
CBD Edibles
Many people think of edibles they think of the classic THC brownie. Edibles, however, can and do extend beyond that. CBD edibles are among the most popular ways of consuming CBD. The reason for this is because edibles provide a tastier, easier, and less volatile alternative to things like CBD tinctures or CBD vapes.
Currently, Medix CBD offers a wide arrange CBD edibles: gummy bears, sour gummy worms, sour gummy bears, and rainbow bites. For those who want to control their CBD dosage or take CBD as a morning supplement will benefit the most from gummies. Though gummies are small they do not cheat users out of CBD. In fact, Medix recommends only 2-3 gummies to get someone up and running!
CBD Hemp Oil Tinctures
Similar to CBD gummies, CBD hemp oil tinctures are beneficial for people who wish to control their CBD dosage. Tinctures allow for more control than gummies since they often come with a small dropper. As a result, users can easily mix their CBD into food and beverages and get experimental with cooking.
Medix offers six different sizes of CBD hemp oils: a 100 mg tincture, 250, 500, 1000, 1500, and 4500 mg tincture. Whichever size you buy all tinctures are extracted from premium quality hemp that is grown in Kentucky using organic farming techniques. All oils are 100% THC-free, 100% natural, and are gluten-free and vegan.
CBD Hemp Oil Creams
A report from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health defines chronic pain as pain that lasts for several months and falls outside of the category of “normal healing.” Normal healing, of course, being the amount of time a person will suffer pain while recovering from an injury. The report states that 40 million adults in the U.S. would classify their pain as severe. Fortunately, Fortunately, there’s a fix for that.
The hemp oil creams that Medix CBD sells can be used a variety of ways: to help ease psoriasis, as a natural beauty skin care product, and of course, for pain relief and anti-inflammation. Topicals are ideal for those who want to target CBD towards specific areas of the body and with the two topicals offered by Medix: a 150 mg cream and 300 mg lotion, one is sure to satisfy your needs.
Where to Buy CBD Oil in Massachusetts?
When it comes toCBD oil, Massachusettsresidents only need to go online and hit purchase. Obtaining medical marijuana can be difficult and comes with a long list of prerequisites: download a form, pay an application fee, visit a medical marijuana doctor, wait for application approval and so forth. With similar medical benefits to medical marijuana with none of the psychoactive effects, CBD products can be purchased without a prescription and delivered directly to your door from companies like Medix CBD.
CBD oil can be bought anywhere, both in-stores and online as long as the product is within or below the 0.3% THC threshold. A recommended CBD supplier is Medix CBD which sells all things CBD: gummies, vapes, oil, tinctures for pets, and topicals.